Carlos Alcaraz admits No 1 ranking pressure has 'killed me in some way'

Sinner is currently serving a three-month ban due to testing positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol, with the Italian player's suspension due to end early next month.

He will most likely return to action at the Italian Open that begins on 7 May after missing tournaments Doha, Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo.

Alcaraz made a strong start in his bid to close the gap to Sinner by winning the Rotterdam Open in early February, but has been victorious since.

This leaves Alcaraz, who is ranked third, 3,610 points adrift of Sinner, which means he cannot usurp the Italian as world No 1 before his return date.

Speaking to reporters head of the Monte Carlo Masters, the Spaniard said: "A lot of people are asking me, or are telling me, that I have the chance to become No 1 if Jannik is not playing.

"So probably that pressure has killed me in some way. I'm not surprised. The people always say that we have to win the tournaments or the top people have to be there all the time playing finals or winning tournaments.

"I'm just thinking that I'm not able to become No 1 in the clay season. Even if Jannik is not playing, I don't have the chance to do it. I think I'm too far from Jannik.

"So I'm just here and I realise that I don't have to think about it and just go there and play. That's my mindset right now."

Alcaraz will face either Francisco Cerundolo or Fabio Fognini in his opening match in Monte Carlo, where he is competing for just the second time.

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