Carlos Alcaraz ready to head into grand slam as top seed for the first time

MAIN MAN: Carlos Alcaraz is the top seed at the French Open. Pic: Andrew Medichini/AP

Carlos Alcaraz is ready to take top billing at a grand slam for the first time as he steps into Rafael Nadal’s clay-court shoes.

With the 14-time champion choosing to sit out a chunk of the season ahead of an expected swansong next year, Spanish hopes at the French Open now rest on Alcaraz’s broad shoulders.