MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 1, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

A. RUBLEV/C. Alcaraz

4-6, 6-3, 6-2

(Questions in Spanish.)

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. What did you think of the serve of Rublev today? It was quite good, I think.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, he was quite good today. I mean, his serve was unbelievable today. He brought me a few opportunities in the match to break his serve. I couldn't make it. That was the key of the match. But I think his game was outstanding today.

I couldn't push him to the limits in every ball, so I think he hit the ball in a good position every time. And a player like Rublev, if he hits the ball in a good position, it's almost impossible to make points, to beat him.

So I have to learn from this match to see how it's gonna be the next one.

Q. Do you feel you can now hit your forehand normally, or is it still a work in progress?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I have to keep going. Right now here in Madrid, while every time that I'm hitting the forehand, I'm thinking about the forearm, if I'm getting a feeling or not.

I have to work hard these days if I want to go to Rome with good feelings, without pain, without think about my forearm, but it's gonna be a slow process, I guess. I have to be patient in that way.

But right now I leave Madrid with good feelings in the forearm, but I have to do good work.

Q. Just following on from that, on your forearm, how much did it play a part today? Looked like you might have been trying to slice a bit more towards the end. Is there any doubt at all that you will play Rome or do you feel fine?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, yeah, today probably I felt more in the forearm than yesterday's match. I mean, playing three hours yesterday, I knew that I'm gonna feel something or I'm gonna think about it even more.

But, you know, playing someone like Rublev that I couldn't push him to the limit in every point is tough. But yeah, the end of the match, I sliced the forehand a bit more. Well, it was difficult feelings, let's say, at the end of the match, but, I mean, the point is that I'm gonna go to Rome. I'm going to work these days to be close to 100% or in a good way to play Rome, but I'm gonna decide these days.

But I think I'll be okay to play Rome.