THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 8, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/N. Jarry

6-3, 6-7, 6-3, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference for Carlos Alcaraz.

Carlos, how are you feeling after that match today?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I'm really happy, but exhausted at the same time. No, I'm really happy to get through that really tough match. Really happy to be able to play my second first round here in Wimbledon. Really excited to know my opponent. Really excited to play the next round.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. The general public, sports fans who aren't tennis experts want to see you and Djokovic in the final. For you as a player, how difficult is that to not think about because you need to win against some good players before then, can't get carried away with that yourself?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, not only tennis fans, sports fans want the final. Myself as well, honestly.

I have I think three rounds ahead. I'm really focused on the next round. Is Berrettini or Zverev. Both players have great tennis on grass. Is going to be really tough one.

But obviously my dream is play a final here. Even better is Novak.

Q. You are the youngest player in the top 50. Are you surprised that you are maybe No. 1, the face of Wimbledon, so soon?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I'm not surprised honestly 'cause I know my skills. I know what I'm capable of. Is something that I work really hard to be in that position, to be what I am right now.

Honestly, I'm not surprised at all.

Q. A tough match like that, does it make you feel more confident about playing on grass, playing on Centre Court because you survived it, or do you think third round, I really had to fight to win that match, how much harder is it going to be against a player of a higher ranking, not to say he isn't a good player...

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, yeah, this match made me a lot of confidence honestly. Every match that I win on Centre Court is better for me to get into this court, this atmosphere.

As I said, last year it was really tough for me to play first match in the Centre Court. Every match that I didn't play on that court, I feel, as I said, that I belong to that court.

Honestly, I see the level of Jarry, the level today, he for sure going to be in the top 10. If I have to bet, I bet at the end of the year he's going to break the top 10 or he's going to be really, really close if he's still playing at that level.

I feel really comfortable on that court. I feel with a lot of confidence right now.

Q. We don't know yet who your next opponent will be. I'd like to ask you about each one of the players. If you play Matteo, what do you think the keys to that match will be?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Return well I think. Big serve. Big shots as well. If I put all the returns in, I will be able to do a good match. I will have my chances. I think is going to be the key. I think against Zverev, as well. Both players have big serves. I would say he lives from their serves.

If I return well, stay focused, play the level that I played from the baseline today, I going to have a lot of chances.

Q. I'd like to challenge you to tell me how different it is to play on grass for you with your game style compared to other surfaces. Can you compare the three surfaces?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Comparing what?

Q. The position, how are you able to change your game? What do you need to change your game comparing the three surfaces?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, as I said before, for me the movement on grass is different from the other surfaces. My style don't change too much. I try to play aggressive all the time. On clay, on hard, on grass. Probably on grass I'm a little bit more, trying to be more aggressive.

Probably on clay, more defensive on some points. That's the tennis position I have in every surface. But my style don't change too much.

Q. You spoke on court about watching videos of legends and epic matches on Centre Court. How much of an inspiration is it for you to now be one of the people that fans want to come and watch on that court?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, for me is great to feel that. I mean, as you said, I watched a lot of videos, a lot of matches from legends playing on that beautiful court.

Knowing that I'm going to be in the history, in the books, playing on that court for me is something I will never forget, playing in that court.

Yeah, honestly, on the side at 40-All when I returned the forehand, I remembered the first match that Roger Federer won in that court against Sampras, winning with a return passing shot from the forehand. I remember every time.

I said to myself, I want to play that return every point. Yeah, is something that for me is crazy to remember, live that experience as well.

Q. It looks as though you're enjoying that, the atmosphere, the environment, the pressure.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I try to enjoy, when I saw the people love that, as well. I try to make the people happy, enjoying watching tennis. That's a goal for me, as well. If I do that, I enjoy myself, as well.

Q. If you had to choose your two favorite special qualities as a tennis player and an athlete, what would those be?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I'm going to go for the flexibility that I have, and explosive, let's say, that I am on court, as well. I'm going to choose that two qualities that I have.

Q. I see you watching the scores between the questions.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: (Smiling.)

Q. What are you monitoring, precisely? During a tournament like this, are you the kind of person looking at the matches, at the results, deep into it, or you focus on yourself, match by match?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I can see too much the score. I was looking what the Holger Rune and Alex... Who won?

Q. Holger Rune.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Whoa, really close match. I mean, I was watching in the locker room the end of that match. Yeah, I'm a guy who were very, very happy when the Grand Slams arrive 'cause every day have matches. I love following the results, following the matches. I love that.

Having a lot of matches in the Grand Slam, I'm very, very happy. I look the results every day.

Q. You don't lose focus?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: No, I don't. I don't lose the focus. I know what I have to do. I love to know what is happening in the tournament.

Q. With Andy Murray losing yesterday, you must hope all the British fans will now want you to be champion. Can you be that guy?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I try. I try. Andy lost yesterday. From the crowd, from the people, they want Andy do a good results. Probably I'm the guy who the people expect to do a good results, to do a good tournament, maybe to win it.

But I'll try to have advantage. The love from the people, to come back in the tough moment on the match, and I try to make that happen.