"I want to be part of the few players that made the Sunshine Double" - Carlos Alcaraz warns competition as defending champ reaches Miami Open QF
Carlos Alcaraz wishes to become just the 12th and the youngest-ever player to complete the Sunshine Double — winning the Indian Wells and the Miami Open in the same year.
After claiming the title at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open without dropping a set earlier this month, the Spaniard has registered three straight-set wins to reach the quarterfinals of the Miami Open. On Tuesday, the World No. 1 defeated home hope Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 36 minutes. He broke his opponent twice and hit 24 winners, compared to just nine from the American.
In his post-match press conference, the 19-year-old was asked if winning the Sunshine Double was on his mind. Alcaraz stated that although he never looked further than his next match, it was difficult not to think about the rare achievement. He admitted that he wished to be among the few players who have won both events in the same season.
"Well, I try not to think about that but it's difficult," Carlos Alcaraz said. "You know, it's something that I really want it. I want to be a part of that few players that made the Sunshine Double. So for me, it would be great to achieve that."
"But as I said, it is something that I do not think about that, you know, and try to think about day by day, you know, match by match, and that's all I try to think about. But of course, it could be great to be part of that few, few players," added.
The 11 players whom Alcaraz wishes to join are Jim Courier, Michael Chang, Pete Sampras, Steffi Graf, Marcelo Rios, Andre Agassi, Kim Clijsters, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Victoria Azarenka, and Iga Swiatek.
Having lost only one match out of 18 this year, Alcaraz looks like the player to beat and has every chance to get into the list, along with Elena Rybakina, who won the 2023 Indian Wells Open on the women's side and has now reached the semifinals in Miami.
Carlos Alcaraz to face Taylor Fritz in Miami Open 2023 QF
In his on-court interview after beating Tommy Paul in the fourth round of the 2023 Miami Open, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz remarked that he felt at home in Miami with all the love that he received from fans.
"I feel at home here. "It's easy to play here in Miami with all the energy I receive every day," Alcaraz said. "I am enjoying myself and I think that is the key to playing at such a high level every match. I hope to keep going."
"I played a really great match and I hope to play the same level in the quarter-final. "I moved well and defended well and I counter-attacked and I think if I play at that same level, I will have a lot of chances to get through."
He will next take on home favorite Taylor Fritz, ranked No. 10 in the world, in the quarterfinals. This will be the first meeting between the two players.