BNP PARIBAS OPEN

March 16, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/J. Sinner

1-6, 6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations, Carlitos. Well done today. You must be happy to be the one to end Jannik's winning streak. How do you feel right now?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I'm really, really happy to classify for another final. It means a lot to me to play such a great level and be able to play another final.

Of course beating Jannik, we have a really good rivalry. And of course 16-match streak, and to be able to end something like this, it's incredible for me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. On Thursday you had the bees and then you had the rain delay today. You came from down a set. Kind of a wild 48 hours. How would you summarize the last 48 hours for you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, we were laughing about it with Jannik when it suspended, because I had bees, had the rain. Let's see what's gonna happen tomorrow. Maybe a random guy... Who knows? Yeah, it's difficult, let's say, you know, to start the match and then have to stop, start again.

So, you know, that's warming up, it's difficult for me a little bit. But really happy with the things that I did, you know, in that stop, warmup again, really focus again. Well, I didn't start pretty well, but really happy to overcome, let's say, that problem and ending the match playing a high level.

Q. Were you, not worried, but nervous at all or concerned that Jannik was sort of getting ahead of you in your rivalry and that he had beaten you the last couple of times? Is that something that sort of builds in your mind over time and that it was important for you to sort of even things up and assert yourself?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, every time that I'm gonna face Jannik I'm going to get nervous. That's for sure. Because I know that I have to play him 100% if I want to beat him. But yeah, doesn't get me nervous the facts of that I am behind in head-to-head. It give me extra motivation to give my 100% just to beat him in that head-to-head.

You know, I try to play my best every match against him, to be able to catch him. I think I did it. We are equals right now, if I'm not wrong. So the next time that I'm going to face him, I'm not gonna think about I'm battling that.

Q. The fact you practiced with Jannik on Friday, that's quite unusual, isn't it, for two players to practice together before the semifinal? Is that something you think you will do quite regularly with Jannik because you get on so well with him? Did you practice together before the semifinal?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: No.

Q. Oh, sorry.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: No, no, no, we didn't practice together.

Q. I shouldn't believe everything I read on social media.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, that's a point. (Laughter.)

Q. Carlos, there was some extraordinary tennis played from both of you, especially that exchange of dropshots at the net in second set, but what was it like to be in the middle of that match and be with that atmosphere and playing a match like that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it's unbelievable to play matches like this one with this atmosphere. As I said after the match, I feel like I'm playing at home. It's something crazy seeing that I'm playing the other part of my country, of the world, and be able to feel that energy, that love like I'm playing at home is something unbelievable.

So every time that I'm playing against Jannik, I think for both of us, it's an amazing fight. But for the crowd, is an amazing match that I think that they enjoy every time that we are playing each other.

I think the energy that people bring to us is special.

Q. Jannik said each time you guys play each other it feels a little bit different from the last time. So in terms of the tactics and the style, what did you notice that Jannik did differently today? How did you respond differently to him?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I'm agree with him (smiling). We have played a few times already, and we know each other how approach the match, the tactics. We know it better than the previous matches, let's say.

I'm gonna say we didn't play with, let's say, a lot of speed. We played more slowly this match. I don't know. I'm not gonna say my tactics (smiling) in case I'm gonna play against him Miami.

But yeah, I felt like we played, let's say, differently.

Q. Two things. Could you explain a little bit more the feeling of having a crowd that's halfway around the world from your home root for you. What does that say about our sport? And then if you could just give us a little bit of detail on how you did turn the match around in the second set.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, for me, it's amazing having such a great crowd, having such a great, let's say, energy, love from the people, playing, as I said, in almost another part of the world.

I'm a lucky guy, you know, receiving this energy in every match, in every practice, in every place that I'm going. It's something crazy.

I say so many, many times, I won some matches because of them. Probably if I don't have them, it's gonna be tougher or even impossible to overcome a lot of problems that I have in the matches.

So I have to thank them for every support, every time that they are supporting me, they are giving their love, their energy to boost me up in those problems. For me, it's unbelievable.

The second question, well, I had to change a little bit my game, let's say. It's obviously that I change the way of the return. I was more in the back. I'm putting every return in. I tried to give myself the opportunity to put more rallies, longer rallies, and I think I was able to feeling a little bit better in the second set, just to play longer rallies.

I felt really good physically, so I think that was a key to change the match a little bit.

Q. You said you played a little bit differently today. In this tournament, you have Juan Carlos in your box who couldn't manage to come to Melbourne. I was wondering, how important is his presence for you in terms of maybe coming up, like, some right tactics and preparation or getting advice during a match?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, he's really important for me. I said before, it's great having Juan Carlos with me. I mean, every tournament that I go with him is special.

But if I'm not going with Juan Carlos, I trust 100% with the coach that I'm traveling with. For example, in Melbourne I had Samuel that I trust 100%. He's a really good coach. I mean, I have a really good relationship with him as well.

I don't know, every time that I'm traveling with Juan Carlos is special because I'm with him since 2017. It's a long path with him, so it's special traveling with him. But doesn't matter that I'm going to play better with him or not.

Q. Carlos, we don't know who you're going to play. If you could maybe talk about playing Daniil and then also talking about playing Tommy separately.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, they have totally different styles. It's going to be really tough match if I play against Daniil or Tommy Paul. If I play against Daniil, I know how I have to play against him. I have played many times, final against him last year. So I know pretty well the tactics against him, but I'm not gonna tell you guys the tactics. Sorry. But I know very, very well how to play against him (smiling).

And Tommy, as well, I've played few times against him. I think the head-to-head is equal. I'm not sure. But it's going to be a really tough one. That's for sure. He's very fast. His style, it's really tough to play against. I mean, great shots.

I have to be ready for both, and let's see against who I'm gonna play.