THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 12, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/H. Rune

7-6, 6-4, 6-4

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

Carlos, semifinals. How are you feeling?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: It's a dream for me. It's a dream for me to be able to play semifinal here in Wimbledon. It's really amazing feeling right now. I'm going to enjoy this moment.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You mentioned it's a dream. What were your first thoughts about Wimbledon when you were young?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I mean, I remember the first time that I came here, it was really an unbelievable feeling to be able to play here.

Right now it's totally different for me. I can't believe that I'm in this position right now in just a short period. It's something crazy for me.

Q. About the reaction at the end of the first set, pretty strong, loud reaction from you. What exactly was that about? Did it have to be with how tight that set was, tension or nerves...

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, it was nerves, tension. It was everything (smiling).

The first set, it was really tough for me. A lot of nerves. I couldn't control it at all. Was able to win the first set. The key to turn around a little bit my emotions.

It help me a lot that huge that I scream after the first set to put out all the nerves and start to enjoy the moment, to enjoy the match.

Smiling for me, as I said a few times, is the key of everything.

Q. It's been alleged in the Serbian press that a member of your team, particularly your father, was filming Novak Djokovic's training session over the weekend. Was that the case?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Sorry?

Q. Your father, it has been alleged, or a member of your team, was filming on a camera Novak Djokovic's training session at Aorangi. I'm asking, was that the case? Is that allegation true? Is there any foundation to that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I don't understand the question.

(Translated.)

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Oh, probably it is true. My father is a huge fan of tennis. He doesn't only watch my matches. I think he get into the club at 11 a.m., get out at 10 p.m., watching matches, watching practice from everyone.

Be able to watch Djokovic in real life, yeah, probably it is true he's film the sessions.

Q. Does that give you a competitive advantage at this stage of the tournament because he's a rival?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I don't think so. I mean, I have a lot of videos from Djokovic on every platform. I think it's not an advantage for me.

Q. You said you were really, really nervous before this match. You just mentioned how you were tight in the first set. Is that normal for you? Is that Centre Court? Is that Holger?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I think it's Holger and a little bit of playing quarterfinal of a Grand Slam.

But for me, it's not easy to play against someone that I've played so many times. When we were younger, we grew up together, same age. For me is not really easy to play against.

But I'm going to say it's the opponent that I play with a lot of nerves.

Q. What do you think of your semifinal opponent?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, he's really tall, you know. He's playing great here on grass. He has a great, great year as well. I lost the first match we played here on grass. So I have to learn about it.

But going to enjoy the semifinal. I think I'm playing great, a lot of confidence right now. So it's going to be a really good match I think. I going to enjoy.

Q. What do you consider Daniil's biggest strengths are?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, he's really complete player. I'm going to say, I think Rublev said a few times, he's an octopus. He catch every ball. It is amazing. He's an amazing athlete.

I think a mix of everything. He does almost everything well.