Monday, March 10, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/D. Shapovalov

6-2, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Well played. You talked about it on court. You came out very serious against Denis because he has been a hot player. How pleased are you that you were able to jump out to the start you did, get ahead 5-Love, before he could even get into the match?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I knew at the beginning of the match that I had to be really focused. I had to start the match really strong, knowing it was going to be a really tough battle. Just really happy that I was able to do it.

I mean, Denis is a great player. He's been playing really good tennis lately. He started the season really strong with really powerful shots.

So I'm just really pleased about my performance today, about everything I have done, 5-Love, so I had to finish the set at that moment, because I think those two games in the first set show a little bit, you know, push him up a little bit. So in the second set, it was a bit better, I guess.

But in general, just really happy. Few things that I have to improve, but I really happy.

Q. When you came here and we were talking about you had heard the courts might be faster, are you finding that they're faster? I know it's different for you, because you played at night and it's often slower at night, but have you found them to be any different than in the past?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I remember talk about it, you know, part of the week, and I didn't try yet when I spoke about it. So right now that I practiced few times, that I have played two matches, it's kind of same. It kind of same court, really slow, bounce a lot.

So it's totally different when you play at night or during the day, but I practice, for example, this morning, that it was a lot of heat, and the ball was super bouncing and the court is super slow.

So didn't felt any difference, which for me I think is good. But yeah, they said that they change it, but if nobody told me that I would think it is the same.

Q. In the offseason, I think, correct me if I'm wrong, you added five grams of weight to your racquet?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, that's right.

Q. Can you talk about the decision, why you decided to do it, what exactly you were looking for, and now, two months in the season, have you found it?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think that I wasn't one of the players who play with less weight of the racquet. I think it was too low. So I just thought about try and let's see how it's gonna be.

I just slagged it. I was looking for some specific moments of the match of shots that I thought I was able to improve my game a little bit, you know, when I was running or some specific shots. I felt really well on playing with those five grams more. I felt the ball. It was flying or it is flying kind of different with more strong.

So I just started to play with it, and I think it was a great change for me.

Q. Is it pace or spin?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: No, I just feel the ball, I mean, I can control it. The ball, all is totally the same, but it feels like when I hit it, when I hit it well, it goes stronger. I think it's, for the opponent, it is more difficult to control it, I think. So it is my feeling.

Q. You can't seem to move away from the bees. (Laughter.)

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I felt it, as well, but I can't escape from me, I guess. It was funny moment. I took a second out there.

Q. Related to bee question, did you notice a bunch of guys wearing the bee costume today? How much supporting you when people do that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: It is funny, because, I mean, it helped me a lot, because, you know, during the whole first set, I was looking at them and laughing (smiling). And I always say that when I laughing, when I having fun on the court I show good tennis.

So probably thanks to them so I could show good tennis, as well. I didn't realize until the second game, the camera put them on the screen. So it was funny. As I said, I took a selfie with them at the end, because I think they deserve it.