After his victory against Arthur Rinderknech, achieved after a difficult start, the world No. 1 let loose at the press conference: “Sometimes it really seems like my rivals are playing at an insane level. I feel like it always happens against me.”

Maybe it’s easier to play well against someone who plays well. Maybe facing the world No. 1 forces you to raise your level, to hit every shot a little harder and a little closer to the line. The fact is that Carlos Alcaraz does not particularly appreciate the quality performances that his opponents often pull out of the hat to complicate his life. At the press conference, after his comeback victory against Arthur Rinderknech—the Frenchman was ahead by a set and a break at the start of the second set—the Spaniard blurted out: “Sometimes I get tired of playing Roger Federer every round. Sometimes it really seems like my rivals are playing at an insane level. I don’t know if I’m experiencing it the right way, but I feel like it always happens to me.“

ranking—  Alcaraz then added: ”If they always played at that level, they should be higher in the rankings. Obviously, it’s something that worries me. I think about it during the match, but all I can do is accept it, move on, and try to do something different: try not to let them be aggressive, impose their style, and instead try to impose my tennis.“ Pressure, on the other hand, is a privilege reserved for only the best: ”I feel like I have a target on my back. I get the impression that they think they can only win by playing at that level.” A small outburst, somewhere between amused and annoyed. It happens. Even if you’re No. 1. Even if you’ve won 14 out of 14 matches in 2026.