US OPEN

August 31, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/L. Harris

6-3, 6-1, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Carlos, three sets, two and a half hours. Give us your thoughts on the match, and talk a little bit about the difference between sets two and three.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I think I played great, a great match. But obviously in the third set he started to play better. I got down a little bit. I need extra energy in the third set. I think that's normal. In a Grand Slam, matches are much longer. You need that extra energy that I need in the third set.

In the end, I think I play a pretty good match and I try to keep the same level into the next round.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. To break a good server like him and take the third set, your thoughts on how you fought back.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I'm really, really happy to be able to win that match in straight sets. I was break down in the third set. Be able in the next set break again, it was really helpful for me to stay there and to stay strong mentally.

I try to forget that game and was really focused on the next one, the return one. I think I did pretty good returns in that game that I had the chance to be up in that game, try to put my game, try to be aggressive, go to the net.

It was really good for me to break and have the chance to push me up a little bit and be able to play a great level at the end.

Q. (Question about Real Madrid and Jude Bellingham.)

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I'm really happy to watch him play in Real Madrid. He's such a great, talented player, one of the best in the world. I'm sure that he's going to be the best player in the world in that position. I'm just really, really happy to have him in the team.

I talk a little bit with him. He's such a great person, as well. It's a complete guy.

Q. Do you pay attention to what's happened through the first couple rounds? Are you just focusing on yourself entirely?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: No, I'm watching that. I love watching the matches, following the scores. It doesn't matter if it's in the top part or the bottom part, I following all the results.

I love Grand Slams 'cause there are a lot of matches. I'm almost full day watching scores. Yeah, I love watching all the matches.

Q. You're playing against Dan Evans next. What is the challenge of playing a player like him, plays with variety, not a big server? Also he said you played golf with him before Wimbledon. What was that like?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, we played a few times. It's really tough player. Good serve and volley, good net game. It's going to be really tough. I will play my best. I will have to return very, very well if I want to win that match. Let's see how it's going to be.

Of course, his golf is much better than mine, that for sure. But, yeah, we could play a little bit before Wimbledon. We had such a great time at the course.