ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 6, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz

Mixed Zone

C. ALCARAZ/Wu Yibing

7-6, 6-3

Q. You said a couple times, this week here and Beijing, you've been playing some of your best tennis. Still, Wu came out flying and pushed the first set into a much closer set than how we expected it to be. Do you feel the same way, do you feel like you started maybe a little bit slow, or he just played too better, like especially during the beginning of the match today?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, so I didn't feel the pressure at all. Obviously there's always pressure, but not too much today. But he didn't let me to play as aggressive as I wanted, or as aggressive that I'm used to playing the last couple of weeks. He hit it stronger than me, deeper than me. I had to stay there, I had to put myself into the rally as much longer as I could. I have to give credit to him as well, because he played a really solid match. Just one break, the first serve was so close as well, he could win that first set, so just happy to be able to win in the tiebreak.

In the second set it was much better for me. I think I played better, I calmed myself, I just think that I have to go for it all the time, that helped me a lot to pull out all the nerves and think clearly. But I knew his level at the beginning of the match, I wasn't surprised at all. I knew that it was going to be a battle, so I was ready for that, but I'm really, really happy to get through in straight sets.

Q. You played two matches in a row in almost a full house, and he's the crowd's favorite hometown player. Could you describe how you managed to stay focused on your game and only on your game without being distracted by how the crowd react, how they cheer for their home players?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, for me it's great seeing a lot of people supporting tennis, watching the matches. Obviously, I knew that the almost full crowd were cheering for him, but it's okay for me. Just seeing the atmosphere, the crowd in the stadium for me, it's a great thing to see.

I know that it's not personal, it's not against me, it's just supporting them. Having Chinese in these rounds of these tournaments are pretty cool for them. So, yeah, I'm just happy to be able to be focused and not think about the crowd, the people, or the opponent, just focus on myself.

Obviously, I'm happy to play against someone else that is not Chinese in the next round (laughing). So, hopefully there are a lot of crowd that is going to be my side next round, so let's see.

Q. 11 straight match wins, do you pay attention to numbers like that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Sorry?

Q. You've won 11 straight matches, do you pay attention to those kind of statistics?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Honestly, I thought about it, I'm not going to lie. Yeah, it's great to have that winning streak, hopefully keep it going, let's see. Yeah, as I said, I've been feeling really comfortable on the court the whole matches that I've been playing. Yeah, I've been playing great tennis, hopefully keep going, as I said.

I think I'm doing great off the court, that helps me a lot to feel really comfortable on the court. Yeah, it's something that I've thought about it.

Q. Jannik Sinner said he really felt it physically today. Obviously you both played in the final on Wednesday and then yesterday. How are you feeling physically or tired-wise?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I'm feeling great. Honestly, I'm feeling some pain in some part of the body, but what is normal for tennis player, you know, we have to deal with it. I'm feeling great.

I think we both have different style on the court. I mean, today he played a really intense match, long rallies, long match. So, for me the last two matches has been not really tough physically, you know, in terms of physically. So, I'm just feeling great, really happy to have a day off to recover, to practice a little bit and take it easy and be ready for the next round.