ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

October 31, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

U. HUMBERT/C. Alcaraz

6-1, 3-6, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Bad luck, Carlitos. How do you assess your performance tonight? And Ugo's, as well.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think I could play better. I think that's obvious. But, you know, with the level that I had today, I think I compete, I gave everything. You know, I fought until the last point.

You know, I have to congratulate Ugo. I think his performance has been really high. You know, the way he hits the ball is unbelievable. It's amazing.

You know, I think every time that he plays against me, I feel like he increase his level. He plays a really high level of tennis. I think in Paris even more so.

So congratulations to him, and good luck.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Carlitos, is there anything that you're very surprised with in terms of your performance? Very surprised?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, not really. I mean, it is very difficult to play in these conditions. For me, for my level, I try to change up as much as I can to this court, to this speed. I thought that it suits pretty well to my game, but it doesn't.

When I play against someone like Ugo that he doesn't let you, you know, get rhythm into the match, he plays probably, every time at his 100%, really flat. So I couldn't play a good tennis.

You know, I practice, you know, at home but it isn't the same court that I thought, you know, that the speed to this court is going to be play the ball. But for me, it doesn't. So I didn't surprise about my level, about my game, but I surprise about, you know, everything a little bit.

Q. Carlos, you had a difficult experience against another Frenchman three years ago, Hugo Gaston. How would you describe the atmosphere tonight compared to three years ago?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it is different. A lot of things happen, you know, from that match until today (smiling). I have had a lot of success here in Paris, so I guess a lot of, you know, friends, guys, supporting me a little bit (smiling).

So it has been a little bit different for me, but I think today was more respectful than, you know, that match, which I appreciate, honestly, because, you know, playing against a French player, one of the best French players that France has right now, and they were great.

I had really great points that they were cheering on me a little bit. They stand up, clap my points. So I appreciate it, honestly, and the crowd was really respectful. So it has been a really good match.

Q. Carlos, would you say that indoor conditions are difficult for your game compared to your qualities, compared to outdoor tennis?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, not indoor courts. This court. I mean, I don't want to say something that there is going to sounds an excuse. You know, first of all, Ugo deserves to win, that's obvious. But it's depend. Because I play, for example, the Davis Cup indoor court, and the court was way slower than this one.

So, I mean, when I play the first match, you know, the stats came out that it is the fastest court in the Masters 1000, probably on the tour right now. This is crazy. I don't know. Probably and the fastest one, you know, in the last ten years in this tournament.

So I don't know why they do it. I don't know why they have changed a lot, you know, a court from other tournaments and obviously in the same tournament, you know, comparing to other years.

So it surprise me a little bit, so I came here with not too many days. Probably I had to came, you know, earlier to get used to these conditions but I didn't. But, you know, honestly all I can say is I don't understand why they did it.