ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

November 3, 2021

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/J. Sinner

7-6, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Obviously you're very happy to win, but what is it like playing somebody who is as young as Jannik, little older than you, sure, but where so many people are talking about you two being the future of men's tennis with a great rivalry to come?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I'm glad to hear that. I mean, they supposed to know that we are playing so great battles. I mean, Jannik is there. He's 9 now.

All I can say is that I hope to play more battles against him, and battles like this one.

Q. What did you do well against Jannik, according to you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I think that I played really, really aggressive, more than him. I think that this one of the keys, not let him play aggressive during the match. I think I was focus all the time to be what I have to do. Yeah, I think it was the key to play more aggressive than him.

Q. Jannik this week is top 10, but you beat him in 2019 and in general, they could make a lot of comparison between you and him. I mean, you felt today the gap was more closer than the one that the ranking is saying?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Can you repeat, please?

Q. When you were out on the court, you felt that the gap between your ranking and his ranking, maybe the real gap is closer than what the ranking is saying?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I mean, I don't know. He has won I think four ATP this year or five. He's 9. He's fighting for the ATP Finals.

I'm still learning, gaining experience. I'm 35 right now. I mean, I'm really happy for the level I'm playing right now. So, I mean, I hope to be in the same position as Jannik Sinner in a couple of years, so I'm really happy for the level right now.

Q. Since you already won some top-10 players, was it today more difficult, less difficult? I know that all matches are different, but did you feel it was more difficult today than versus Tsitsipas? If so, just give me your feelings, because you had 11 breakpoints against him even if you convert only two.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I mean, every top-10 players are so difficult to play. Against Tsitsipas, Zverev, Berrettini, now Sinner, it's really tough to play.

Jannik is playing really good tennis right now. I think he's feeling so comfortable playing. I mean, I don't know. I know against these kind of players I have to play my best tennis, so all I can say is that.

Q. You're going to play Hugo Gaston, a French player. Going to be a night session. A totally different player than Sinner. It will be in front of this crowd. How do you feel about that? Do you know his game?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I saw him play a lot in the challengers. Now I could watch a little bit against his match against Pablo. And, yeah, I know he's playing really well. I mean, he's a different kind of tennis, so many dropshots, slices.

So I think I have to play really well to be able to beat him. He's playing at home, so I think it's going to be tough.

Q. Do you feel tired after this long season?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Not really. This is my first season, so there is no time to be tired right now. I just enjoying the end of the season. Yeah, feel good.

Q. Jannik said you seem pressure-proof. Do you think it's right?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Can you repeat?

Q. Jannik Sinner said you don't feel pressure on the court. Do you think it's right?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I'm 18 years old, so there is no time to feel the pressure right now. So I just I know what I have to play, and when I'm on the court, just play my game and trying to enjoy the moment.