AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 13, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/A. Shevchenko

6-1, 7-5, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Carlitos, well done. How do you assess your performance tonight?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think I played a great level. Honestly, the first match of the season you never know how is going to be. I had the confidence to think that I was going to be good, but you never know.

Just really, really happy with the level that I played, with everything I've done today. But I really want to be better in the next round.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Obviously you started really strongly today. Then there was a little period where things didn't go your way. When you find yourself in those situations, what do you think about to get things going back your way?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, is something that I'm working on. Like when everything is going well, you're happy, everything is in the right way so I wouldn't turn into the bad way again.

It feels like I'm thinking just to be good again (smiling). I mean, I knew that I have to be focus. I knew that I had to be there in the good rhythm. The good level is going to be good again.

That is something that is in my mind, like not be mad, just try to recover the good rhythm again. That's what I try in the second set.

As I said, it's the first match of the season. I think what happened was normal, to lose the focus a little bit. I just want to try not happen again in the next round.

Yeah, I'm just trying to focus my game again.

Q. As you said, first match of the season. You started 2024 in Australia. Why did you decide to start here in Australia playing a Grand Slam and not have any other tournament previous? Why do you think other players prefer the same?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I don't know why was for them. But for me, I prefer to do a good pre-season, a little bit longer. That's it. I prefer to instead having two weeks of preseason, having four.

We don't have too much period in December to have a long preseason. Start a tournament 250, United Cup. You have to think what's better for you: stay at home or stay doing the preseason instead of playing any tournament, or not doing the preseason and playing some matches before the Grand Slam.

I decided not to come. I think I'm in an age that I need weeks of practice. I need long preseasons just to be ready. Then the season is going to be long, so you have to be in a good shape. That's why I decide not to play any tournament before the Grand Slam, coming straight to here.

Q. Your next opponent, Nishioka, what do you make of that challenge?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I know Nishioka is tough, tough player. I just try to play a good tennis. I will try to do the things that I improving, try to make more or be more comfortable and getting more confident.

It will be a really good match. I'll be ready. I'll be focused to play my own tennis, my own game, and let's see.

Q. You spoke the other day about your serve, how you're looking to improve that. How did that feel tonight?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I struggle a little bit. Is something that I'm still thinking about it. A lot of things comes to my mind when I'm going to serve. I have to get it natural or as natural as it can. I just struggle with the percentage of the first serve. That's something that I want to get higher.

Hopefully in the next days is going to be better. I think it's normal. New things is tough to feel natural on it. I think in the next few days it's going to be better.