QATAR EXXONMOBIL OPEN

February 16, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz

From Recorded Audio

Q. Welcome to Doha.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Thank you.

Q. Congratulations once again for the form at Rotterdam. Did you have much time to celebrate? What's it been like between there and here?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I had three days that I didn't spend at home because I had to move to Madrid for some stuff that I had to do. So, I just spent, like, one day at home. So, for me it wasn't long, but it was okay, you know, after bringing the trophy home, everything was really good.

Q. What were you most satisfied about in terms of your tennis?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think that the way that I improved my level since the first round, since the final, or to here. I think, you know, the things that I had to improve, I did it pretty well, so for me that was the most satisfying thing.

Q. You talked at the start of the year about your serve and the changes that you made. I wonder, is it difficult to be making improvements and playing matches at the same time?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it's a bit different, but I learned to not get mad, you know, if the serve is not going well, just forget it and moving on. It's a little bit tricky. Sometimes I think I'm getting it, and getting a good serve and feeling much better, but there are some times that I don't know what's going on with the serve, but, you know, in those moments I just forget it and move on.

Q. In the future with the serve do you think it will be better for your arm to avoid any injuries in the future?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Probably. I think that the flow, the movement is easier with this one. I'm more relaxed, so I'm not feeling tight, you know, the arm. I think it's much better, you know, for the long season ahead, so I think it's going to prevent some bad things.

Q. What about coming here to Doha? A lot of good players are here this week, what do you think of the challenge ahead?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think Doha has had always really good tennis players at this tournament, you know, great names, so I'm excited about playing my first time here in Doha, and let's see. I'm still focusing on the things that I have to improve, just focus on myself, and hopefully show some great tennis here.

Q. Am I right that you came to Doha for Australian Open qualifiers a few years ago; is that right?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah.

Q. I wonder, in the four years, has there been a big change, because now there's a lot more interest maybe in you than there was then.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: (Laughing). Yes, it's a bit different. Yes, I played the quallies of Australian Open in 2021 because of the pandemic. For me it's totally different. I couldn't go out from the hotel in that moment. There was no crowd, no people here, so it's totally different. But, yeah, four years now, I think I'm coming here feeling different, obviously, but I have great memories from here, from this last time.