AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 17, 2022

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/A. Tabilo

6-2, 6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: This was your first match of 2022. How did you feel out there today?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I felt really good. I mean, I didn't expect that this first match is going to be really good for me. I mean, I played a great level the first match of the season, really good feelings. Hope the next matches is going to be the same.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Last time you were here you were a qualifier. Now you are a seed. Does that make you realize how far you have advanced in 12 months?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, is really good to be seed, no? First rounds are easier with a seed. Well, has been a really good last year for me. I mean, the last year I was a qualifier, now a seed.

I mean, I don't know how to say (smiling). It's really good.

Q. Can you talk about the decision to start your season at the Australian Open, not play a tournament beforehand. What was the reason for that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, last year I finished the year, I mean, so close to the next season. I mean, I had COVID as well. I preferred to just extend the pre-season, do more weeks to get ready for this season. I mean, to get strong, to get more power, let's say.

I prefer to do a good pre-season.

Q. Do you feel just as comfortable on hard courts as on clay courts?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I starting to get more comfortable on hard court than the clay court. I think the most tournament of the year are in hard court, so you have to be ready, a good player in hard court.

I think, yeah, I'm playing really, really good on hard court. I'm feeling really good on that.

Q. After you've had such a great season last year, what kind of conversations did you have with your team to maintain the right mindset coming into this year, not feeling the extra pressure? What is your mentality at the moment?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, like every year we have a conversation with the goals this year. I mean, is really important to have a good goal at the end of the year. This year I know what I have to do is improve like last year. That's my way. Still learning, experience, still growing up. I'm a young player. This year is to grow up.

Q. Talk about some of the specific goals you have for the year. Ranking goals or tournament goals?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I have a goal to end the year into the top 50 -- top 15, sorry, is a good goal for me. To be able to play the Nitto Finals, it's a really good goal for me, but so difficult as well.