Carlos Alcaraz: "A complicated comeback, but I'll improve"

• Sports

First victory on his come back for Carlos Alcaraz. After the stop suffered in November and a relapse shortly before the Australian Open, the Spanish tennis player played his first match of the season, the first after his retreat in Paris-Bercy against Holger Rune, beating the Serbian Laslo Djere in three sets with the result by 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

The former world number one chose clay and Argentina to return to the Tour: "For me it is a pleasure to live this experience in Argentina. The truth is that I feel at home, and this is really appreciated, it has helped me a lot to have this environment and the affection of the people," said the Spanish tennis player at a press conference.

In the first match after returning from injury, there are two sensations: the joy of having rediscovered the feeling with victory and the awareness that there is still room for improvement. "I felt very good, I have a lot of room for improvement.

Returning to competition after four months is complicated. The only way to find the rhythm is to play, so slowly I will improve. Obviously I go to every tournament thinking I'm going to win it and my goal is to win the title.

It's my first game after four months, the first of the year, and it was a great first game for me, great tennis, but far from the level I always play. Beyond the hits, there are the moments. There were several where I couldn't handle them.

Points that were very fast and I didn't know how to control myself, that's what I'm missing."

The choice of Buenos Aires

Absent from the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz had two options: return to South American red clay or opt for European indoor hard courts.

The Grand Slam champion opted for the latter: "I wanted to come here and play this tournament. I don't know if I will come back but for now the stay is wonderful, I love it. It is something that I will consider in the future if the calendar and the physique allow it.

From the very first training session I feel the love of the people, even when I walk through the event. It's nice that so many kilometers from home you feel so good, it's something very positive," he declared at the press conference.