Carlos Alcaraz has shared his plans to grab the world No 1 rating from Novak Djokovic. After defending his Madrid Open title, the 20-year-old will dethrone the Serb so long as he performs within the Rome Masters - one thing he confirmed on Sunday. It additionally means Alcaraz would be the high seed on the French Open in a blow to two-time champion Djokovic.

Alcaraz loved one other profitable week taking part in at dwelling in Spain, the place he's now unbeaten since 2021. The world No 2 picked up his tenth profession trophy in Madrid on Sunday, efficiently defending the title he gained 12 months in the past.

It now leaves him simply 5 factors behind Djokovic within the official ATP rankings, with the 35-year-old tasked with defending his personal title on the Rome Masters over the approaching fortnight. And Alcaraz is guaranteed to overtake the current world No 1, as he'll obtain 10 rating factors only for taking part in in Italy.

The Spaniard didn’t play ultimately 12 months’s Italian Open so has no factors to defend and earns 10 only for competing, as he acquired a bye into the second spherical. Meanwhile, Djokovic can solely lose factors or retain the 1,000 he picked up from profitable the title final 12 months.

And Alcaraz doubled down on his plans of taking part in in Rome after lifting the title in Madrid, as he beforehand confirmed it was his intention earlier within the week. “They are very beautiful achievements for me,” he stated of his victory on the Madrid Open.

“It is my 10th title, my fourth Masters 1000.” Alcaraz was nicely conscious that he was closing in on the highest spot, confirming his plans to make his debut in Rome. He added: “Defending the title here in Madrid, on the brink of regaining No 1, are very big things.

“I feel very proud of the work and the achievements that I am achieving. I am an ambitious boy and we are going to go for Rome.” It means the 20-year-old will return to world No 1 on May 22 after the conclusion of the ultimate Masters of the clay swing.

That rating additionally ensures him a spot as the highest seed on the French Open, whereas Djokovic would be the second seed at greatest. It offers Alcaraz a good larger enhance at Roland Garros, the place he's arguably the present favorite given Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s current harm points.

The 10-time title winner is undefeated on European clay this season and has misplaced simply two matches all 12 months - the Rio remaining and the Miami semi-final. He additionally has not competed at a Grand Slam event since profitable the US Open that means he's on a seven-match profitable streak on the Majors.

And Alcaraz has already publicly set his sights on profitable the French Open. During the Miami Masters earlier this 12 months, he stated: “Roland Garros is the next Grand Slam and for me it's a very, very good goal and I'm really looking forward to it.”