Carlos Alcaraz says reclaiming the world No 1 ranking from Jannik Sinner adds “extra motivation” at the Barcelona Open, though his main focus is steady progress on clay.
The Spaniard lost his Monte Carlo crown and top spot to Sinner on Sunday but can return to No 1 by winning in Barcelona, where the Italian is absent.
Twice a champion here, Alcaraz opens against Otto Virtanen and will stay No 2 if he falls short.
Despite the setback, the 22‑year‑old insists the rivalry is sharpening his game: “Jannik makes me better. He shows me my weaknesses and pushes me to improve every day.”
