"I need competition."
Carlos Alcaraz says he is "feeling great" as he prepares for his US Open defence in what will be the Spaniard's first appearance since recovering from a right wrist injury sustained in April.
Alcaraz's long absence has clouded his prospects, but the seven-time Grand Slam champion has built a reputation for producing his best tennis on the grandest stages and cannot ‌be discounted despite the uncertainty surrounding his return.
He will launch his title defence against Russia's Roman Safiullin following a quick tune-up alongside Serena Williams in the mixed doubles.
"I'm feeling very good, and I think that injury helped me a lot to understand that right now, everything is in my head. I have to trust my team, trust the people who tell me that everything is going to be fine," said the 23-year-old.
"So I just have to go 100 per cent. Right now, with the training I've done so far, everything has gone well. I'm trying to get away from that fear and play normally."
There were fears Alcaraz may have had to tinker with the playing style in order to stop the problem from flaring up again - Britain's Jack Draper attempted to change his serve in a bid to get over his injury problems but remains frustratingly on the sidelines.
But Alcaraz insists he just needs competitive action.
"I haven't changed anything. I've been doing the same things. I haven't changed anything technically, in terms of my movements or the way I'm going to play," he said.
"I just wanted to feel that I was going to be myself. I knew that coming here to the US Open, being a best-of-five-set tournament and being my first tournament after such a long time, was going to be a huge challenge.
"Probably, in terms of preparation, it wasn't the ideal time. But my team and I believe that I'm ready. It wasn't an easy decision. I did everything I needed to do to be ready. I tried to do everything perfectly, both on and off the court, to feel prepared.
"We saw that everything was fine, that everything was responding properly, and we believed it was the right time to come back."
Alcaraz also admitted it is "weird" that he has not seen injured world No 1 Jannik Sinner in several months, saying: "It's a weird situation to be honest. I just wish him all the best... a great recovery and to see him back in court at his best."
Alcaraz was not entirely out of the limelight during his time away from the court, after carrying the World Cup trophy onto the pitch at the MetLife Stadium before Spain's win over Argentina.
"For me it was a lifetime experience, seeing Spain winning the World Cup," he said.
"Louis Vuitton had the trunks that was carrying the trophy, so they told me that I'm down to do it. And, I mean, it was a lifetime experience for me, like holding the trophy in the ceremony, to give it to them, you know, on the field. So it was a great experience."
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