CHINA OPEN

October 1, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/D. Medvedev

7-5, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Carlos, this is your first final in Beijing. How do you assess your performance today?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think I played really well. Obviously if I want to beat Daniil, I have to play a really good tennis, high quality of tennis.

I felt great on the court once again, so I'm really happy about it. I think I couldn't ask for a better semifinal, just to approach the final in a really good way.

So really, really happy to be able to play my first final in Beijing.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Who is the best for the final looking forward from your point of view? Sinner or Bu?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Obviously Bu (smiling). I'm not going to lie. Jannik is the best player in the world right now. I mean, Bu is playing a great tennis during the whole week, beating really top players.

If I have to choose or I could say who is the best for me to play a final, if I want to win it, Bu.

As I always said, I really like the battles, the toughest match facing the best players in the world. So if I play against Jannik in the final, I will be happy, as well.

Q. Tonight the crowd's energy was insane. Being up in the stands I could see everyone was on the edge of their seat. How did that atmosphere affect your play tonight?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I was surprised honestly when I step on the court and I saw almost full crowd. I was surprised. I mean, on Tuesday, full crowd... I was happy to see a lot of people watching the match.

Yeah, I think when I play Daniil, when I face Daniil, we both show a really good tennis, really good rallies. The people enjoy that a lot.

Yeah, I'm going to say thanks to that people, start to look matches, because I think, as I said, we showed really good rallies, shots, points, good defense, good attacking. I think we mix a bit of everything. I think it's sweet for the spectator I'm going to say.

The atmosphere here, once again it was crazy. I enjoyed a lot. Hopefully I going to feel that energy in the final again.

Q. Medvedev broke your serve a couple of times in the first set. Obviously when that crowd's energy is right there with you, it's hard to keep a level head. You looked calm and confident every time you came out after suffering a setback. How did you keep your head level?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I just try to keep going. I mean, I broke his serves a few times in the first set. After that, he broke my serve again. Yeah, I just try to think that, Okay, keep going. Maybe it means a few first serves that I had not to do it. Probably I made a few mistakes from the baseline that I had not to do it.

But it's okay. I knew what I have to do. What I had to do is keep going, keep playing my tennis. The opportunities is going to show up again. Try to make it. That's what I thought when he broke my serve after I did it. Try to serve better, you know, in that moment.

I always try to pushing him to the limits, try to make him running from side to side, play my style. If I miss it, it is okay, just keep trying and keep going. That's what I thought. That's helpful for me just to play a really good tennis in both sets.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.

Q. When I was interviewing the ballkids, more than 80% would choose you as their favorite player. What is your view on your popularity among the ballkids?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, honestly, it's great to have a lot of people supporting me. I'm glad that the ballkids... I have a lot of fans, they supporting me. For me it's always great.

I'm trying to inspire them in a really good way, in the behavior and on the way that I play, the way that I approach every match.

I've seen during the whole week the ballkids. When I see them around, I try to just talk with him, with them. It was great moments when I seen them.

So for me it is great and I'm happy to know it.