Watch: Carlos Alcaraz called "piece of shit" by fan for not signing autographs in Rome

Carlos Alcaraz was verbally abused by an Italian fan for not signing an autograph ahead of a practice session at the ongoing Italian Open in Rome.

Alcaraz, who recently won the Madrid Open, is set to play against fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the Round of 64 at the Italian Open. A day before the match, the World No. 2 arrived at a practice session and proceeded to the wrong gate before realizing his folly.

Fans, who were waiting in large numbers at Gate No. 1, approached the Spaniard asking him to sign autographs. However, he didn't oblige and walked away to the correct court.

Reacting to the incident, an Italian fan abused Alcaraz by saying "pezzo di merda", which means "piece of shit" in Italian. However, Alcaraz did not lose his cool and laughed it off, before continuing to walk with his physiotherapist Juanjo Moreno to his designated practice court from Gate No. 2.

You can watch the video below:

Greg Rusedski considers Carlos Alcaraz the favorite to win French Open if Rafael Nadal pulls out

Carlos Alcaraz during a training session at the Italian Open 2023.

As the clay court season continues, all eyes are now turning to the French Open. The claycourt Slam commences in Paris on May 22, with the main draw matches starting on May 28.

While Roland Garros has always been Rafael Nadal's favorite hunting ground, former British-Canadian tennis player Greg Rusedski recently said Carlos Alcaraz could win the French Open if Nadal pulls out.

With fitness issues plaguing Novak Djokovic and Nadal, Rusedski believes the current World No. 2 would be the Roland Garros favorite.

"Going in to this year's Roland Garros, Nadal hasn't played anything whatsoever leading up, who's always the favorite to win the title. Djokovic is hurt. This has got to be his best chance to win it because if any of those guys are healthier, any one of those three guys could win it. But right now, because of his form, he's got to be the favorite," Rusedski said after the Madrid Open final.

Alcaraz has already won four titles this season. His first title came at the Argentina Open, after which he captured the Indian Wells trophy with a win over World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev.

He also aced the Barcelona Open without dropping a set, and came out all guns blazing to win the Madrid Open for the second year in a row.

The 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz is now the sixth-youngest player with at least 10 ATP titles to his name.