MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

March 30, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/T. Fritz

6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Well done, Carlitos. Taylor spoke very highly of your level tonight. Was this your best match of the tournament?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, probably. Probably has been my best match all the tournament so far. But I think I'm playing a good level every match. I feel comfortable every match. So I'm really happy with the level that I'm playing.

THE MODERATOR: English questions.

Q. This is your first time playing him. Did you have any problem adjusting to his serve or any part of his game? What do you do the first time you're playing an opponent? That happens a lot these days -- because you're new on the tour -- to prepare you for a match?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think that the return was the key of this match. I took my chances. You know, I think I took the opportunity of every breakpoint that I had, you know, and I think it was the key.

Playing from the baselines, I think I felt really, really good. You know, I was really, really solid and aggressive at the same time. It was, let's say, perfect for me.

When I playing against a new opponent, I just focus on myself, focus on my game, trying to, you know, don't let the opponent play his game and just focus on myself.

Q. You served pretty well tonight. Can you explain how much Juan Carlos insists on your serve and that he wants this weapon to improve a lot? Can you explain how much he makes you work and improve your serve?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it was from the whole team. When I start with Juan Carlos, everybody know that I have to improve my serve. I had problems on my abs a long time ago, so I couldn't practice the serve as much as I wanted.

But since I start feeling well on my abs, my abdomen, my body in general, I start to practice the serve a little bit more. You know, it was something that we were really focused on. We knew that the serve was really, really important on tennis right now so I need to improve a lot, and I think right now I have a good serve, I think.

Q. You're playing Sinner next, and you guys already have, let's say, a big rivalry, already five matches, this is going to be the sixth one. How is your relationship outside of the official matches? How do you guys get along on the tour?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, we have a good relationship outside the court. You know, we wave each other, we talk. When we are out of the court we practice a few times together, as well.

Yeah, he's a really nice guy. I think that's really important, as well, to be a nice person. Of course, yeah, we share a lot of great moments outside of the court.

Q. You were just talking about your level, the way you played tonight. Is that good enough for you to win the tournament, or do you still have to go higher, and how much higher if you do?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I try to improve my level in every match, so for example, the level of today was really high, but Sinner is a great opponent right now, so I have to play at this level or even better, you know, to get through to the semifinal.

But I never think that my level is enough to win a tournament. As I said, I try to improve every match every day, and let's see how it's going. You know, every match is different and everything can happen in a match.

So I am focused on improve every day.

Q. Obviously Team Nike, I notice you have been rocking the Travis Scott Nike. Do you listen to him, and what's your pregame music, by any chance, since you wear the Travis Scotts?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Say again?

Q. I know you're Team Nike, and you're wearing the black Travis Scott Nikes. Wonder if you listen to him and what other pregame music.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Ah, right. Well, I love his sneakers, I love the sneakers that he has with Nike, but I, well, I have listened to a few songs about him, but I don't listen him too much. But of course he's really talented, you know, music (smiling).