ROLAND GARROS

June 2, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/D. Shapovalov

6-1, 6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Carlos, how do you compare this first week of this tournament with the first week of the tournament last year and also with, say, the US Open which turned out very well?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Comparing this Roland Garros with last year?

Q. Roland Garros last year and also the first week...

CARLOS ALCARAZ: In US Open? All right.

I remember Roland Garros last year I was more in trouble, you know. I saved match ball against Ramos. I remember that match really clearly (smiling).

But after that match, I think it was great. So I can't compare nothing more like than the match against Ramos, comparing the first week this year, as well.

And the US Open, I was more in trouble, as well (smiling). Some really, really tough matches at the beginning. It was really tough for me. But, you know, is totally different for me the first week into the second one.

Q. Denis was just talking to us, was very complimentary about the way you played, and in general about the way you play. I want to ask you, what do you consider your best quality or your strongest quality on a tennis court?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I would say I'm a complete player. You know, I would say the stronger thing that I have on court is that I push to the limit, I push the opponent to the limit every time. He has to do great things, great stuff to work on my -- to overcome me.

I would say that, that I'm over there every point playing great points. And I don't lose the focus. I would say that's my strong, you know, thing on court.

Q. Tennis is a game of many traditions, many rules, many customs. If you were in charge and you could make one change in the sport of tennis, what would that be?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: In tennis?

Q. In tennis.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Oh, tough one. This is a tough question.

I'm gonna say the balls, you know, to play with the same ball. For me, that's the only thing I would change. You know, to play every tournament the whole year with the same ball.

I would say that. That's the only thing that I would change.

Q. So it's difficult to play with different balls?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: You have to adapt your game. You know, in every tournament, you know, every ball is different. We some problems to the players, you know, with the ball, you know, yeah, different ball in every tournament. You know, you're playing one week with one ball, and the next one you change totally with a totally different ball.

I would say that's the only thing that I would change.

Q. Since you brought them up, let me ask a quick question about the tennis balls here. A lot of players have said they feel like they're fluffing up a lot, like they're slow in the game. I'm wondering, have you found that to be the case? Does that bother you? Does it require you to change things at all while you're playing?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I feel that. I feel that for me is tougher, the ball goes slower, is tougher to, you know, to hit the ball as strong as I want (smiling).

But, you know, I'm a guy who adapt his game really good. So I adapt my game into the ball really good.

I like the ball, but I feel every player who said that is tough to play with that.

Q. You will face Lorenzo Musetti in the run of 16. He won against you in Hamburg last year. What challenge does he represent for you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it's a big challenge for me. You know, he's playing great. He has beaten really tough players, you know. Yeah, he's a really talented player.

I remember the match in Hamburg. It was really, really tough. Yeah, this is a match that I really looking for, really want to play that match.

I'm gonna enjoying, because it's gonna be a really fun match. I would say it's gonna be really good rallies, good shots between us, and of course is gonna be a really fun match to watch, as well.