AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 21, 2022

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

M. BERRETTINI/C. Alcaraz

6-2, 7-6, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Bad luck, Carlos, but you must be proud of the way you came back from two sets to Love down to force a final set tiebreak.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I'm very proud of the performance today. I mean, was my first time two sets down, and then be able to come back like the way I did. I mean, I gave everything on the court, so that's the thing that I want to do, give everything on the court and I'm very proud the way that I did.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. Does this result, as well as what you did at last year's US Open, make you think that you are really closing the gap with the top players?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Say again, please?

Q. Because you did so well against Berrettini and what you did with Tsitsipas at the US Open, do you think you're really getting closer to the top players?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yes. I mean, when I've played against the top players, apart against Rafa, I was close. I think I have the level to play against the top players. I'm getting close, getting closer every tournament that I'm playing.

That's the point, no, to be able to be part of the top players, and I think I'm really close of that. I think, as I said, I have the level. I am playing really well. So I think that I'm ready for that.

Q. The fact that you've had some very big results at Grand Slams or great performances on hard court, is that important to you, as well, to show you that you're going to be very strong on hard court, not just clay?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I mean, I am a player that adapted his game on every surface. I'm feeling comfortable playing on hard court, but as well on clay court. I did my first ATP tournament on clay court, so -- I mean, it's really important to have a really good game on hard court, the most part of the tournament is in hard court. So you have to be ready to play really well on that surface, and I think I adapt my game really well on hard court.