THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 3, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/A. Vukic

7-6, 6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Carlos, nice to get that win under your belt today. How are you feeling?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I'm really happy with the level that I played today. Yeah, I'm feeling that I'm getting better and better every day. I practice on grass, playing matches. So really happy about the way that I played and hopefully keep improving, getting higher.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Frances was saying behind the scenes you guys are interacting in between your matches. He says he's looking forward to playing against you. How do you play someone who you're close to, and keep yourselves in the zone when you go on the court?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I mean, I have a really good relationship with a lot of players behind the scenes. But once you step on the court, they're not friends. You have to be in your own, focus on yourself, and try to beat him. That's how tennis works. That's it.

Frances, a great player, a great person as well. He always smiles. He always seems like he's enjoying his time on the court, off the court as well. It's pretty impressive. Try to put a show every time he steps on the court, as well.

It's going to be a really fun match to play, to watch. I'll try to put my good weapons on the match and try to beat him.

Q. Obviously you won it last year. How is your game compared to 12 months ago?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: It's a good question. I think it's similar. I am feeling similar than last year. Obviously, as I say, I'm getting better and better. Hopefully if I keep winning, I'm going to find the same level as the final last year. I'm going to say I reach the top of the top the final last year.

I'm feeling that I'm playing a great tennis. Physically I'm feeling great. Hopefully keep going.

Q. What is it like being here as the defending champion? How does that change your experience at these tournaments?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I've been in this position before as defending champion in a Grand Slam. Last year in the US Open, I felt not too much pressure. I try not to think about it.

This year here in Wimbledon, same feeling. Obviously it's special to playing as defending champion and try not to think about the pressure that I have to win it again or to be far.

I just try to think about every day, every match, every practice, trying to be better. That's all I'm thinking right now.

Q. You've played a lot of matches since then, but what do you remember of that semifinal match against Frances at the US Open? What sticks out to you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it's totally different position. We were playing in United States, semifinal of the US Open, against an American guy. Like, Frances, I'm going to say everybody loves him in the United States. Is kind of different feeling.

It was a great match. I think we played really great points. I think that the crowd enjoyed that match. I'm pretty sure that the people are going to enjoy this match, as well.

So let's see. I remember that I played great tennis. I have match point in the fourth set. We played five sets at the end. It was a really close match, that hopefully not going to be this year the same (smiling).

Q. After two games, how happy are you with the level of your tennis? What do you think you can still improve?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, yeah, I'm really happy that, for example, the serves and the return in the first match, it wasn't really well for me. I improve a lot to this match.

I can be better moving. I'm feeling more comfortable moving on grass. But in general I'm really happy with every shots that I played today, my movement.

Obviously, as I said, I have to keep going.

Q. Compared to last year, Grand Slam to Grand Slam, the slight tweaks that you're constantly making maybe even off the court, what sort of insight can you give us to what you have been changing here?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I've been changing a little bit. Obviously is difficult for me in terms of off the court, going to bed early, eat well, stay focus 24 hours in tennis, in everything I can do better to perform better on the court.

I've been changing a few things. I try to use less the phone. Has been difficult for me (smiling). I'm dealing with those things. Going to go to bed early. Try to respect the hours of sleep. I'm trying to do everything that I can do to be better on the court.

Q. There's pressure points in the match, particularly in the first set. How important is the mental side of the game to producing winners at very important moments in the game?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, for me is everything. If you can stay positive, you can stay calm in the toughest situations that probably the match can reach you, you're going to win. That's it.

It's a battle against the opponent. If you can stay calmer than the other, than the opponent, you are going to be better.

So in those situations, I try to be positive, to be calm, to think about I can keep my best shots in this moment. Obviously that help a lot when you're feeling great off the court. At least for me, when I'm feeling great, feeling calm off the court the previous days or the hours before the match, I'm going to perform better, I'm going to feel better on the court. So that's it.