ROLAND GARROS

June 4, 2021

Pablo Carreno Busta

Press Conference

P. CARRENO BUSTA/S. Johnson

6-4, 6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You must be very happy with that, and straight sets as well.

PABLO CARRENO BUSTA: Yeah, of course. It's very positive to me to be in the fourth round again, to be in the second week. Also to win the match in three sets.

Well, I think that probably at the beginning of the match I dip a little bit. He start playing very aggressive without rhythm and was difficult to me, but after save two breakpoints in 4-3, I think that I was much better than him until the (indiscernible) ,and then I relax a little bit and he continue pushing.

I suffered a little bit at the end of the second set, but, well, the feeling on court was very good. I feel very comfortable. Well, very happy to be again in the fourth round.

Q. You have been to the quarterfinals here a couple of times. Just wondering if you feel like you're edging towards that level? How are you feeling in general?

PABLO CARRENO BUSTA: Yeah, I think that my level is going up. I am feeling very comfortable on court. I know that in the next round I play against Tsitsipas or Isner. Both players -- Tsitsipas I think is the first one in the race to Turin. So will be interesting match. Very tough, for sure.

But why not, no? I am playing good. I just lost one set in the three matches. Well, waiting for the opponent and enjoying the victory.

Q. I'm doing a piece on Carlos Alcaraz. As a very top Spaniard yourself, how impressed have you been with him? Have you ever hit with him? Have you ever played with him?

PABLO CARRENO BUSTA: Yeah. I'm not impressive, because I know how good is him (smiling). I practice with him a lot of times from three, four years ago. I know that his level is very good. He's an incredible player. He's just 18 years old, but he plays like a top player.

I know that he can improve a lot his level. He's not in the best level, but he's just 18. He needs to play matches with these kind of players, with the top players to be there.

But for sure I don't think that he win Roland Garros this year, but, you know, you never know because he's a special player. He's very good level. His attitude is also very good.

I happy with him, because I know him, we are very friends, we practice a lot together in the academy. Well, I hope that he continues this way.

Q. There is a lot of comparisons with what he's achieving and what Nadal is achieving. What's it like as an emerging Spanish player to have that pressure, to have all the talk about being the next Nadal?

PABLO CARRENO BUSTA: Yeah, of course he has a lot of pressure, but it's normal, no? I understand that the press love to compare the players. Nadal is Nadal. Nadal won 13 years here (smiling). I don't know if Alcaraz can do this.

If I have to say something, I will say no, because is probably impossible to repeat it. But Alcaraz has to continue his way. He's very young. He has to improve a lot.

I don't think he need to be focused on if Rafa won Roland Garros with 19 or something like this. He has to be focused on him and on himself, try to improve his level and continue this way. Because if you compare with Rafa, probably he will be a bad player with just five, six Grand Slams.