THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 16, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/N. Djokovic

1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4

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

How does it feel, Carlos, to be the Wimbledon champion?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, feels great. It's a dream come true for me, being a Wimbledon champion, something that I really wanted. Honestly, I didn't expect to get it really soon. Yeah, it's time to enjoy and share everything, all my feelings.

Yeah, as I said, it's a dream.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. A lot of people have talked about a changing of the generations, like a changing of the guard. How important was it for you to beat Novak at his best on a stage like this?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I did it for myself, not for tennis generation, honestly. It was great. Beating Novak at his best, in this stage, making history, being the guy to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on that court, is amazing for me.

It's something that I will never forget, that's for sure. As I said, it's great for the new generation, as well, I think to see me beating him and making them think that they are capable to do it, as well.

It's great for me and I think for the young players, as well.

Q. What is it that you changed early in the second set, or that changed for you? You struggled for the first 40 minutes of the match. What happened that allowed you to fight, get even, be playing on an even court?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it was tough first set, honestly. But I felt that was playing great, was playing a good level. I had chances to break his serve or I was close to break his serve. I couldn't take it. It's a problem when you don't take the opportunities against a legend like Novak. You have to struggle.

But in the second set I knew that I was going to have my chances. I had to be focused. I had to stay there and waiting for my chance to be up or to be close on the score.

After win the second set, it was really good for me 'cause if I would have lost that set, probably I couldn't lift the trophy. I probably could have lost in three sets, straight sets.

I would say that gave me a lot of confidence, a lot of motivation to still going and to think that I'm able to win Novak in that stage.

Q. Back to the French Open and the cramps that you suffered in that match, feelings you had after that semifinal, what steps did you take, if anything, to sort of ensure that you would be able to go as you did today five sets? Was there any sort of change in your approach?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Sorry, say again, please.

Q. In terms of your recovery, to go five sets, toe to toe with Novak today, wasn't possible at Roland Garros, what allowed you to do that today?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, well, as I said before, I am totally different player than French Open. I grew up a lot since that moment. I learned a lot from that moment.

As I said before the final, I took lesson from that match. I did something different before the match. I prepared a little bit different mentally before the match. I could deal with the pressure, the nerves, better than I did in French Open.

Obviously on grass is different than on clay. But I'm really happy to be able to stay there. Didn't get down, didn't give up. I fought until the last ball. Every ball, I think we made great rallies, great points. It was long, long match, long sets.

I think was the mental part that allow me to stay there during the five sets.

Q. Before the final you said this was the biggest moment of your life. For Novak it was just another match possibly. I want to ask you, why was it the biggest moment in your life? You're just 20. There are going to be many, many Grand Slam finals. Why was this such an important moment for you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, right now, yeah, is the happiest moment of my life, that's for sure. Probably in five years will change (smiling). Right now, I'm 20, I didn't live too many situations like this, so I'm going to enjoy this moment.

Making history that I did today, it's, yeah, the happiest moment of my life. I think it's not going to change for a long time.

Yeah, like beating Novak, winning Wimbledon championship is something that I dream about since I start to playing tennis. That's why is the biggest moment of my life.

Q. You said just then you're going to enjoy this. What's the plan tonight? Parties planned?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I have the official dinner like every year (smiling).

Then, I don't know... I'm going to spend time with my team, family, that's for sure, but don't know where yet.

Q. Novak was asked to describe what he thinks your best qualities are. He said you've got a little bit of him, a little bit of Roger Federer, and a little bit of Rafael Nadal.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: (Laughter.)

Q. I wanted to ask what your reaction is to that. You just gave us that a little bit. But also, how would you describe yourself as a player? What do you think your best qualities are?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: It's crazy that Novak say that, honestly. But I consider myself a really complete player. I think I have the shots, the strength physically, the strength mentally enough to (indiscernible) these situations.

I don't know. Probably he's right. But I don't want to think about it. I going to think that I'm full Carlos Alcaraz, let's say, but probably I have some great ability from every player.

Q. What did you learn about yourself today?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Good question.

I don't know. Probably that I'm really capable of doing the things that I did today. Probably before this match, I thought that I wasn't ready to beat Djokovic in five sets, an epic match like this. Stay good physically or good mentally about five hours against a legend, probably I learned today about myself today.

Q. Did you change something in the way you considered Novak Djokovic before this match? After Roland Garros semifinal you said, Of course I was nervous because it was Novak Djokovic, it was him, as if he was superior to you. Did you change something in that point today?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I mean, before this match, I thought I can't beat Novak. That's obviously. But after this epic match, let's say, yeah, I think different about Novak in the way that probably in other tournaments, in other Grand Slams, I will remember this moment. I will think that, well, I'm ready to play five sets against him, good rallies, good sets, really long, long match, and stay there physically, mentally, in tennis, in general.

Probably it change my mind a little bit after this match.

Q. We saw you go up to your box to celebrate with your family. Your family love tennis. Can you describe what that moment felt like, to give them that experience?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, it's big moment not just for me, but for my family, for all the people around me. It's really, really special moment.

I start playing tennis thanks my dad. Really huge fan of tennis. I mean, he was watching tennis before I was born. It's crazy. His whole life, it's about tennis.

I think for them, watching his kid making history, lifting the trophy, winning Wimbledon, is something incredible for them. For me to have them there, giving them a big hug, it's something that I will never forget. I hope to have a photo from that moment 'cause I'm going to keep forever.