Carlos Alcaraz confirms he is fit and ready for Italian Open

After winning the Monte Carlo Masters, Alcaraz followed it up with a run to the final of the Barcelona Open.

But he struggled with an adductor muscle problem late during second set against Holger Rune and he went on to lose the showpiece match in straight sets.

Days later he pulled out of his home ATP Masters 1000 event, the Madrid Open, as he confirmed that he was also battling with a left-hamstring injury.

The four-time Grand Slam winner said: "I'm really happy to be here in Rome. It's the second time that I'm going to play here, so I'm excited.

"The practises were great so far. I'm in good shape. I'm 100 per cent ready to start the tournament. So I just can't wait for Friday.

"Last year was even more difficult. But here, yeah, I couldn't play Madrid. It was a special tournament for me, which it was the same for me not able to play there.

"I could play really good tournaments, Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, good matches. Right now, yeah, I stop a little bit. I just try to recovered from the injury, which I wasn't worried at all."    The Spaniard, who will be playing in Rome for only the second time, will kick off his campaign against qualifier Dusan Lajovic.

Alcaraz lost in the third round during only other appearance at the tournament.

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