WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN

August 18, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/M. Purcell

4-6, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Carlitos, how much did you know about Max before the match today and how much did he impress you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I didn't know him so much before the match, but he's impress me a lot. His game is pretty good. Serve really well. Volley pretty well, as well. It was really tough for me.

But I know that he was playing well. Really happy to get through and be able to beat him.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. Seemed like he was using the serve and volley quite a bit. Why do you feel like the serve and volley is not used more in singles?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: For him or...

Q. For him.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I don't know. I mean, it was his tactic. But if I have his volley and his serve, good the same for me.

I mean, at the beginning of the match I know that he was going to do serve and volley 'cause it's his style and he do it pretty well. I tried to be focus on the return. I don't know. He talk with his coach about it. It was pretty good for him.

Q. You've played a lot of tough matches in the last couple weeks. Do you sense your opponents are raising their level or do you think there is still a level you can reach even higher?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I feel like I'm playing well. Obviously not my best. I can increase my level, of course.

But I feel the opponents, when they are playing against me, I'm going to say, well, they play a little bit better. Obviously, I will say that you can be better every day.

Q. What does it mean to you to be one of the last four in championship weekend here in Cincinnati where fans love you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I felt it since day one. It's crazy to feel the love from the people. I see the full court in every practice. In the matches, as well. They stay late to watch my matches, as well. It's crazy to feel it.

I'm really grateful, yeah, to have it, to have the support from the people. I hope to have them in the semifinal, as well.

Q. What is one word that would describe this weekend to you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: This weekend? For me is really tough to say. I don't know. Is tough to find one word. Let's say, hmmm...

Q. A few words?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Okay, better for me (laughter).

This weekend, we on Friday, so let's say go for it. I don't know. 'Surprising' going to say, yeah.

Q. Thoughts about your next opponent, Hurkacz?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, we played in Toronto. We had a great match, really tough one. I mean, here in Cincinnati the court is a little bit faster than in Toronto, so probably suits better to his game. Big serves, big shots.

We have to show our best level to beat him. He's playing well. Is going to be a really interesting for us semifinal. Really fun to watch.

Q. Three matches so far. All three three-setters. Do you feel this will help you when you go to New York or maybe it might tire you out a little bit before going to New York?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, after this tournament you have a week, so for me doesn't matter too much if I'm going to three set or not. I don't feel it help me going to New York to play five-sets matches.

I always said as less as you are on court, is better for you to recover, to stay let's say healthier. But you never know if you're going to play two sets or three sets. You have to win, doesn't matter if it's in two or three.

Right now is coming three, but I have to be more focused to do in two.

Q. You're playing Hubie next, then possibly Novak, two guys that want to get revenge on you. Are you going to watch Rocky Balboa again?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Of course. I always watch it or I always listen 'Eye of the Tiger', the songs about Rocky Balboa, or if I have videos. Obviously help me a lot coming into matches. Tomorrow against Hubie is going to be a really good time to motivate myself with Rocky.