PARIS — Defending French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz admitted he "expected a worse level" from himself after opening his title defense with a straight-sets victory over Italy's Giulio Zeppieri.
A Strong Start Despite Doubts
The 21-year-old Spaniard, who claimed his maiden Roland Garros crown last year, overcame early nerves to secure a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Alcaraz, seeded third this year, acknowledged his pre-match concerns but was pleasantly surprised by his performance. "I was nervous at the beginning, but once I settled, I felt really good," he said post-match.
Alcaraz's victory was built on:
- Dominant first-serve performance (75% win rate)
- Precise groundstrokes (32 winners)
- Effective net play (won 15/18 approaches)
Handling the Pressure of Defense
The young champion revealed the unique pressures of returning as defending champion. "It's completely different coming back as the guy who won last year," Alcaraz explained. "Everyone looks at you differently, expects more from you. I put that pressure on myself too."
Despite these pressures, Alcaraz showed remarkable composure against the 68th-ranked Zeppieri, particularly when facing break points. He saved 4 of 5 break opportunities, demonstrating the mental toughness that has become his trademark.
Physical Concerns Allayed
Coming into the tournament with concerns about his right forearm injury that forced him to miss Rome, Alcaraz reported no physical issues. "The forearm held up perfectly," he confirmed. "I was hitting my forehand with full power, which is the best news I could have."
Looking Ahead in the Draw
With the first hurdle cleared, Alcaraz now faces Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong in the second round. The Spaniard remains cautious despite his strong start: "Every match here is dangerous. I need to keep improving with each round."
Tennis analysts noted several positive signs in Alcaraz's opener:
- Improved first-serve percentage (68%, up from 62% in Madrid)
- Reduced unforced errors (just 22 in three sets)
- Effective use of drop shots (won 6/8 attempts)
Rival Reactions
Other title contenders took notice of Alcaraz's strong start. Novak Djokovic, who could face the Spaniard in the semifinals, commented: "Carlos looks sharp. When he's playing like that, he's dangerous on any surface."
Rafael Nadal, watching from the stands, was seen nodding approvingly at several of Alcaraz's winners. The 14-time champion, who missed this year's tournament due to injury, has previously called Alcaraz "the complete player of the new generation."
The Road Ahead
While pleased with his start, Alcaraz knows tougher tests await. Potential later-round opponents include:
- Sebastian Korda (projected 4th round)
- Stefanos Tsitsipas (potential quarterfinal)
- Jannik Sinner (possible semifinal)
The young champion remains focused on incremental progress: "I don't think about defending points or repeating as champion. I just want to play my best tennis each day and see how far that takes me."
Conclusion: A Promising Start
Alcaraz's opening performance suggests he's ready for the challenges of defending his title. As he put it: "This is exactly the start I needed. Not perfect, but good enough to build on." With his physical concerns easing and his game rounding into form, the Spaniard appears poised for another deep run at Roland Garros.