US OPEN

September 1, 2022

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/F. Coria

6-2, 6-1, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Straight sets, barely over two hours. Your thoughts on the match.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I'm really happy with my performance today. I think I played really, really well. Yeah, I had to be really, really focused. Grand Slam, every minutes on courts counts. You have to be really focused and show your best level. I think I did it today. I'm really happy with that.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Coco Gauff, couple weeks ago, said in the Roland Garros final she was thinking, What would Carlos Alcaraz do? Naomi said she wanted to watch some of your videos, she needed inspiration to get the feel back in her forehand. How does that make you feel? Is there anybody on the WTA Tour that inspires you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I'm really happy to hear that, that the best, I mean, woman's player say that about you. It's great.

I mean, I'm trying to show all the players, all the people, that you have to, I mean, to enjoy, to go for it, to show your best level in the best moment, in the best style.

I mean, I could say Serena. Serena inspire me a lot. Last match yesterday was amazing, and of course during her career inspire me, and a lot of players, you know. I would say Serena.

Q. How would you describe your learning process for sliding on the hard court? How do you feel when you slide?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I mean, a lot of players slide well on hard court. I don't know. I work on that, and I feel like I am playing on clay court when I slide in that surface.

Yeah, I just feel good when I do that. And, yeah, I don't know how to say more.

Q. Was there anybody you tried to copy in the way you picked up your slide?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Djokovic, let's say (smiling). But I don't know. I just feel by myself when I do that.

Q. You said before the tournament that you didn't feel pressure from like the expectations that are on you and instead you felt pressure to enjoy the experience and to show your best tennis. So I wonder, was that the case for you today? Did you enjoy it today and did you show your best tennis?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I would say yes. I enjoyed playing today. Of course I trying not to think about the pressure, not to think about the results, and of course to the ranking, you know.

Just trying to be myself on court, trying to, as you say, show my best level. I think I am getting better every day that I am playing here in US Open.

So I just, yeah, enjoy and show my best level in the next rounds.

Q. How has your game evolved since your first tournament in Montreal? How would you say you're getting used to the hard courts?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I think my level grew up a lot since Montreal. As I said after my loss in Montreal, I trying to enjoy every match, and I think thanks to that I saw my best level and my level can go up. I think I'm playing better and better every day. I'm really happy with that. Of course I'm trying to be better and feel more comfortable on court.