INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 13, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/A. Ramos-Vinolas

6-4, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Well done, Carlitos. How did you feel out there for your first match in Rome?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I feel great. Even the conditions was tough... Apart of that, yeah, I felt the love from the people.

As I said on court, it was great to have a lot of people, even a really tough condition, really tough day, waiting the whole day.

It was great to play my first match here in Rome.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You're one of the few players who, when you serve, sometimes you serve really out wide. I'm wondering, how important is it for you to keep opponents guessing and be unpredictable on the court?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, is a weapon for me to be unpredictable sometimes. Of course, in the serves, I move wide to make a kick serve. It's really, really tough to make a winner return down the line when you are outside the court. Yeah, I try to do that a lot of times, then the second ball hitting with my forehand. It's really a helpful weapon for me.

Yeah, as I said, it's really good for me to be unpredictable sometimes.

Q. Which difference between the first Alcaraz who become No. 1 and this Alcaraz who come back No. 1?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I grew up a lot in just a year. I have more experience. I played great matches. I grew up thanks to that a lot. I more mature as well.

I would say in just a year I'm a totally different player. I read the match better than last year. I would say this year is totally different for me.

Q. You write 'Forza Roma' on the camera. Are you a supporter of Rome?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I had a friend playing Rome. I'm not following the Serie A so much. I mean, Rome, as I said, I watch some matches from the Rome club because I had a friend playing there.

Q. You talk about your evolution. Is that also outside the court? Jannik said yesterday he prefers to play in the morning, but now he could play at night. How was it managing this rain today, waiting for your match?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it was tough 'cause I really want to play the match. Wait a lot 'cause the rain, it was tough for me.

But I handle it really, really well. I stayed calm watching some videos. I watched today the Moto GP with my coach and a friend of mine that is here, as well. I just took a really, really calm the waiting.

But is tough, you know, because I didn't know if I was able to play or not. Finally I played, and I'm glad to do that.