ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

November 2, 2022

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/Y. Nishioka

6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Well done. How did you like the atmosphere and the court speed?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it was fast for me. I was used to play in the court in Basel, and it was so slower than here. But, I mean, you have to get used to these conditions, this atmosphere. But I feel great.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. You are a very passionate player. You play with fire, and you show emotions. You also look very stable emotionally. How did you learn that stability mentally?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I learned that it's really important to be stable, you know, in the court. Also that the opponent, you're mad or not, you have to show him that you are strong mentally, you are calm, no. I would say it's really important to show to the opponent.

I show that the opponent I have cold feelings, trying to play with the crowd, as well, trying to show that, yeah, I'm there with a lot of passion, you know, on the court, but at the same time, stable (smiling).

Q. It's obviously been a huge year for you, but since September when you won the Open, you got No. 1, now you're, let's say, officially No. 1 with the trophy. Have you noticed anything different? Is it now you feel for sure you are No. 1 because you have been given the trophy? Have other players, the way they play you, do you feel there is any difference?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I felt No. 1 before getting the trophy, but of course with the trophy, is amazing. You know, it was amazing feeling when I had the trophy in my hands. I feel the No. 1 after the US Open.

Probably the difference, the way the player play against me, probably I felt that difference, but not too much. I would say the players play better or more aggressive with me.

But I would say that's the difference that I felt after the No. 1.

Q. It's never easy to start a tournament. What do you think of your level, the level of your game today? You served well. You were really good at the net. What is your opinion regarding your game?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I would say I played really well. Of course I have too many things to improve after the first round. But, yeah, as you said, first round is never easy.

Yeah, I have to get used to these conditions that is so difference than Basel, you know. I serve well, I go to the net well, and the baseline I play very well as well. But I'm looking for the next round, get better.

Q. Back to mental stability, did you learn this naturally, or did you work with a mental coach? The process of learning to control your emotions in a positive way, how did you learn that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I was working with a psychologist since, I would say, 2019. She was really helpful for me, for my career. I learned a lot from her.

But at the same time with the matches, with all the experience that I was getting in every match and every tournament, but of course without her it wouldn't be possible. Stay stable at 19 years old in the greatest stadiums, in the great matches, I was working with her, yeah.