BNP PARIBAS OPEN

March 14, 2022

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/R. Bautista Agut

6-2, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: (Question about the match today.)

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I don't think so. The full match, I think it's the, one of my best performances in a match.

But I think the first set against Tsitsipas I played really, really well, as well as the match against Berrettini as well. I think I played a great level, but I don't think the full match like today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. What does it mean to beat a player like Roberto? You've seen his game for a lot of years, and to be able to play him like that, what does that mean to you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I saw Roberto play during too much time. I mean, I trained with Roberto a lot. I saw him a lot playing. I mean, I know his level, his game. That's a point that you can focus the match well, knowing his game.

But, yeah, I knew that Roberto is playing really well. I mean, he got the title, I mean, in Dubai, so, yeah, I knew that. I knew he's playing well.

Q. What are your thoughts about playing Gael in the next round? I think a lot of people thought it might have been Daniil, but the big upset just now. So your thoughts on playing Gael.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: So Gael is playing very, very well. I mean, he's a really tough, a really tough player. He has good speed. He run a lot. He's really fast. He has great shots as well.

It's going to be a really tough match and fun, a fun match, as well. I mean, it's going to be a good rallies. I don't know. It's going to be a great match.

Q. Is it hard to play someone who is your countryman, who is older than you, who has probably been some kind of a role model? When you walk on the court, do you have to forget about that? What is it like to play someone like that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah. It's not easy to play against a friend, against the same country as you, but once you are on court, you forget it. You go for the match. I mean, there are never friends on court, you know? You just go for it and go for the win.

Q. Did you feel bad at all in the second set? I mean, it was, what we call in English, a demolition.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah. I mean, when you're in a match you don't feel bad or you don't feel bad for the opponent. But, yeah, I can just say that I played really well and I focused during the whole match.

Q. How are you feeling in Indian Wells in general? How are you feeling about just being in this environment? A lot of guys say the courts here are unusual because of the conditions. How do you feel about them?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I love playing here in Indian Wells. It's amazing. I love the courts as well. I mean, the crowd is amazing as well. I didn't expect that. This is my second year here in Indian Wells and the crowd almost is behind me. So I love playing here. I love Indian Wells.

Q. In your mind, what do you prefer, clay courts or hard courts?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I don't know. I mean, I am feeling comfortable playing on hard court and on clay court. I'm a player that adapts his game really well on both surfaces, so I can't choose one.

Q. You just said you're surprised at the way the crowd has been for you over here. You're still very young. You're still very new. But do you find you're being recognized more when you're moving around?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I'm feeling that I'm recognized a little more when I'm traveling around the world. I think that people recognize me here in the United States because of the performance in the US Open.

But, yeah, little by little, yeah, I'm growing up and the people are recognizing me more when I am traveling. So this is great for me.

Q. Do you like it?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I really like. (Laughing).