AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 18, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/L. Sonego

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

THE MODERATOR: Carlitos, well done. Really excited about your third round match against Jerry because it's the first time among the pros that you're playing against someone who is younger than you. How much do you know about Jerry?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I don't know him too much. I've seen some matches from him. I know he's playing well. I follow his run in Hong Kong. He beat some big guys, making first set against Rublev. So I know he has the level. He's already there.

I have to be really, really focused on the match. I have to put my best game if I want to beat him. I think it's going to be a fun match to play. Of course, for the fans I think it's going to be great, as well.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I think it was in October you were talking about working on not having the dips during the matches. Did that happen in the tiebreaker today? Was it physical or mental or just Lorenzo played a great tiebreaker? What were you feeling out there on the court? Were there any dips?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I didn't feel I had downs in the match. I mean, in the tiebreak he started to play an unbelievable game. I think he made some big returns after a good first serve from me.

I think probably I could do something else in the tiebreak. But, yeah, the level that he played, it was really, really high. It was tight, the set. I had my chances, my opportunities. I didn't make it, but he deserve it.

I had to move on and started as better as I can in the third set, which I did. But, yeah, I'm working on that. I think I didn't have downs in the match.

Q. Iga Swiatek was telling us earlier today she listens to The Rolling Stones before her match. If you want to listen to music before a match, which type of music, which artists, and what do you want that music to do to you in that moment?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, before the match I always listen "Eye of the Tiger", "Heart On Fire." That kind of music that motivate me a lot. I'm a huge fan of Rocky Balboa. The songs remind me to the movie, all the training session that he had on the movie.

Yeah, I mean, I think about it when I listen it, and it motivate me a lot before the matches.

Q. How much tennis are you watching while you're in Melbourne? Did you watch Novak?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Here this year?

Q. Yes.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I like to watch all the matches when I can obviously. Yeah, I follow every result. If I have the chance to watch some matches, I do it.

For example, I watched the match, the Djokovic match, last night. When I'm around here, I always in the locker room or I always focus on the TVs if I can catch some points from the matches.

I'm a huge fan of tennis. Every time I can to watch some matches, I do it.

Q. How would you prepare for the next match against Chinese Jerry? Have you trained, played with him before? Are you going to watch the videos of his previous matches?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I've never practiced with him. I've never played against him. So it's going to be the first time that we face each other. I think it's going to be great for everyone. I think for him, as well.

Obviously I'm going to watch matches from him - I don't know, Hong Kong or the last matches that he has played - to know a little bit from his game.

What I've seen so far from him, he's an unbelievable player. He's ready to make a good result. I have to be focused on that, and I will prepare as best as I can this match.