MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

March 31, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

J. SINNER/C. Alcaraz

6-7, 6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Carlitos, bad luck. Another epic battle with Jannik. What do you think made the difference in the end?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it was a really close match, I think. I had my opportunities to break in the second set and serving for the match, but really against Sinner is always a tough battle.

Yeah, it's tough to put into words, you know, but I think it was a great match for both.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. In the third set it looked like maybe you were cramping. What was going through your mind? What was your health like?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I went to bathroom like for five minutes, and yeah, everything went down for me a little bit, you know. I stopped myself. Yeah, I start cramping a little bit. You know, after a really tough match is, well, is tough to stop the match for five minutes.

I know it was me, but it wasn't good for me, but yeah, it was a really tough physically match. Yeah, I struggled with some problems in the third set, you know. Just cramping, but it was tough (smiling).

Q. Was it the left leg? Did it start at the first game, during the first game of the third exactly? Because you lost many points in a row before the beginning of the third. Was it cramping at this moment already before the bathroom break?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, well, yeah, I started cramping at the beginning of the third set, but it wasn't the reason for I lost the match.

You know, I went back after cramping at the beginning, I started to feel better. But of course Jannik, he was better than me in the third set. That's the truth, you know. But yeah, it was in the first game of the third set.

Q. You don't lose very much. When you do lose, how do you react? Do you get over it very quickly, or does it stay with you for a little while? Daniil said that he hates to lose more than he likes to win. Is that how you feel? I'm just curious, because we don't talk to you very much in these situations anymore.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: (Smiling.) Well, yeah, I mean, after the match, like the 15, 25 minutes I can't talk to anyone. I was on my -- complaining a lot, everything is like shit for me (smiling).

But after 20 minutes, 25 minutes, you know, I recall myself, I start thinking about positive things, about the match, about the season, about the tournament, and talking with, you know, my team, my family, and yeah, after that starting to have good things on my mind. You know, I come here smiling. It's after the 20, 25 minutes.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about this point at 4-2, Love-15? Incredible point. Do you remember this point? Can you describe what went through your mind when you saw that he finally made the passing shot?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I remember that point. It was unbelievable point. When I lost that point, the first thing that came to my mind is like he's unbeatable, this guy.

Yeah, but, you know, we played a great game, I think both great level. I break his serve at that game, if I remember well. But of course against Jannik is always great points like this one.

Q. Carlos, you have lost No. 1. You have lost the title. You have lost Sunshine Double. Does any one of those mean more to you that you have lost, or the fact that you have lost a semifinal is all that really matters?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: For me is like I lost the semifinal. I don't think about I lost the No. 1, I lost the Sunshine Double. I don't think about it.

Of course it's a shame, you know, but I had opportunity to get the Sunshine Double, but, I mean, I think I gonna have more years to try to get it. But all I can think about is like to improve my level to beat Jannik. Yeah, for me is just lost a semifinal of a tournament.

Q. Carlos, you see the packed stadium in New York, and tonight for this match, how electric people feel when you and Jannik play. Do you feel a different energy, a different electricity when you play? Tonight did he do anything tactically different that you didn't expect or just anything that surprised you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: From Jannik?

Q. Yes.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, first of all, yeah, of course, I feel something different about the crowd when I play against Jannik. You know, I think around the world is probably all the people watching this match because I think it's really beautiful to watch.

Yeah, it was incredible crowd. You know, I felt the energy, the love from the people when I was down. So for me it's unbelievable to have this kind of feeling, you know, this kind of support. For me it's indescribable.

But obviously the beginning of the match, Jannik was great. It surprise me a little bit, you know, the way that he was playing great. So for me, I was thinking that I just stay there and trying to, you know, to get his thoughts, think that he was going to be a little bit down after the beginning of the match, but yeah, he surprised me the level that he started the match.