ROLAND GARROS

May 31, 2022

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

A. ZVEREV/C. Alcaraz

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

THE MODERATOR: Bad luck today. You were behind in the match, but you fought hard and you almost took it to a fifth set. What were your thoughts towards the end of that match?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I would say I finished the match playing better. I leave the court, leave the tournament with the head very high. I fight until the last ball. I fought until the last second of the match, and I'm proud of it.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. What do you think makes the difference between one-week tournament and a two-week tournament best-of-five? Do you think you still have a lot to learn in that respect playing these Grand Slam tournaments?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I would say you have more time to come back. I mean, if another tournament I would have lost, and in a Grand Slam I had the opportunity to come back. I had chances to play a fifth set today.

I didn't make that chances, but I would say the Grand Slams, the difference between the other tournaments and a Grand Slam, you have time to come back. But at the same time is tougher, because is tough to keep the focus, keep the level during three, four, five hours in a Grand Slam. I would say that's the difference.

Q. I know the loss is fresh, but have you already identified with your team the point of your game, maybe a few feelings you need to change to go further in a Grand Slam?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Sorry, say again?

Q. Have you already identified the part of your game you need to change to go in semifinal of a Grand Slam, to go farther in a Grand Slam?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I mean, I have to take the lesson today. It was a tough match and close match I think. I could say I didn't start well, and in this level, quarterfinal of a Grand Slam, you are playing against the best players in the world, so you have to start the match better than I did today.

I have to take the lesson. I mean, I have to improve to the next Grand Slam or next matches. But I would say I'm not far away to reach a semifinal or be able to win a Grand Slam. Just take the lesson, let's say, in these kind of matches. I would say I have the level, I have the confidence to win a Grand Slam or pass through to the semifinal next time.

Q. Obviously it's very disappointing at the moment, but how long do you think this will stay in the front of your mind? And also, has Juan Carlos said anything to you as yet?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Sorry, say again, please.

Q. So the first thing is, how long do you think this will stay in your mind, this result, and what has Juan Carlos Ferrero said to you so far?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I mean, this match is not going to be tough for me or I'm going to say I'm disappointed for this match. I just gonna try to took the positive things of the match, and of course the bad things that I did, to improve to the next matches or next tournaments or next Grand Slams. I just, I could say, I was close to a good match, close to a fifth set, and in the fifth set everything could happen.

I'm gonna, as I said, took lesson of this match. This was my second quarterfinals in a Grand Slam, and I think I fight until the last ball and hope to the next Grand Slam, next quarterfinal that I'm gonna play in a Grand Slam, do it better and to my chances to pass to the semifinals.

Well, Juan Carlos told me that the things that I have to improve to the next tournaments, to the next matches, next Grand Slams, is tough to play. A Grand Slam, for a final, you have to play against the best player in the world, and you have to keep the focus or keep the level during the four or five hours. I mean, I have to improve the level that I played today.

Q. Charlie, what has been your happiest and most enjoyable memories of spending and competing at Roland Garros this year? What has it been like as a crowd favorite? What has it been like with everyone saying that you could be the next superstar in tennis?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I enjoyed a lot, even I lost. Playing in front of such a great crowd, playing in these kind of tournaments, this kind of court, is amazing for me.

I train for these moments. I mean, I fight with the best player in the world, fight for a ticket of final of a Grand Slam for me, so it's amazing. That's why I'm training, that's why I'm playing tennis, to keep dreaming, to have chances to be in the best tournaments in the world.

I mean, that's why I'm training. And of course I couldn't be disappoint with this crowd or I couldn't ask for a better crowd in here, in Paris supporting me, until the last ball supporting me, from the beginning to the end of the match. I'm just say thank you to the crowd, and of course to the people who were supporting me until the last ball.