AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 17, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/R. Gasquet

7-6, 6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. 30 seeded players have advanced in the men's draw. What do you think that's a reflection of in men's tennis?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Can you say again?

Q. All but two seeded players are in the second round in the men's draw. What does that say about the men's tour at the moment?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I mean, I don't know. They deserve it. The tour right now have great players. I think the seeds got through the second round, but the same time I saw a few of them struggling a lot in their matches, fifth sets, really close ones.

I think, yeah, the tour have great players, a lot of them that can beat anyone. So I think it's really, really open. It's very open. But, I mean, from 30 from 32 I think they deserve it.

Q. You were the last man to play in the three-day first round in the new format. Do you think it was a success, the change?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think so. I think it's better for the players, as well, and better for everyone. For the crowd to have more days to have matches, for the tournament as well. I think for the players who plays the first days has more days to rest. I think it's good that the players that play in the first day have a little bit advantage, have two days of rest.

Apart from that, I think it's a really good format.