CHINA OPEN

October 1, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/L. Musetti

6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the process conference of Carlos Alcaraz.

Carlos, really impeccable performance today to get through to the quarterfinals. How do you feel so far in Beijing?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I feel great. Honestly, it was a great performance against a really tough opponent. I just really, really happy that ever since the beginning until the last ball, it didn't up and down. I stay at the high level, high quality during the whole match. Is something that I'm looking for in every match.

I'm really, really happy to do it today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Yesterday Daniil Medvedev was saying that he felt a few problems playing with these particular match balls. He was saying after hitting the ball for a little while, the balls can become very big and fluffy. I'm wondering if you have felt any issues with the balls in today's match or any point in the tournament so far?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I felt it since the first practice that I did here in Beijing.

Is something tough, you know? But the tennis player have to used to that. They change balls in every tournament or almost in every tournament is different ball. You have to get used to that.

It's kind of different feeling when you are coming into a tournament, is like: What is going to be the ball? It's a question that I think every player is making themself about the balls.

Here in just one game, two games, the ball becomes really different since the new ones. It's kind of different play, and you have to get used to that.

But I felt it since the day one (smiling).

Q. You've played two matches at the Diamond Court. Is there any differences between the match during the daytime and the nighttime, including the temperature, the atmosphere, crowd?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, usually a bit different. When the sun is out and the sun is down, is different. The ball goes different. A little bit the temperature is different, as well.

So I feel it a little bit, but not too much. Obviously I prefer to play in the day with the suns is out. But, as I said, you have to get used to in every conditions, every time of the day.

But, yeah, I felt it.

Q. Next round you are going to play Casper, who had a tough match today. You haven't played him in quite a while. Talk about your perspective about this match.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, yeah, as you said, he had a really tough match today. I going to take that as advantage for me in the tomorrow's match. Probably he's going to be a little bit tired. Who knows.

But Casper is a really tough, tough player. We've played tough, tough matches already. So I have to show my best. I have to be really, really focused on the match, try not let him dominate, and don't let him feel comfortable hitting the balls, moving.

I'm going to try to put my game on the match. So is going to be a really tough match, but at the same time fun to play and for the fans to watch, as well.