MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 5, 2021

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

R. NADAL/C. Alcaraz

6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Happy Birthday. What was it like to spend a part of your 18th birthday in your country's biggest tennis stadium and playing Rafael Nadal in front of fans from your home country?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it's amazing, no, to spend my birthday playing against Rafa, learning from him, yeah, playing here in Madrid.

It could better if I could win, but I really enjoy. I really learn from him, and, yeah, I think this match made me grow up as a player. I really happy to spend my birthday like this.

Q. Feliz cumpleanos. You just said that you learned today. Can you tell us a little bit about what specifically you think you might have learned and how a match like this with Rafa can help you moving forward?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, this match made me learn a lot, because, well, I have to know how to manage the tough moments and, well, know how to play against these kind of players, no?

This is so tough matches, tough players, and I have to learn how to play against them. So I think if I could play more matches like this I will grow up faster, and I think this -- yeah, grow up as a player faster.

Q. What was it like getting a birthday cake from Rafa after the match? Did you get a chance to speak with him at all today? What did he say, if so?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, before the match we didn't talk anything. We were focused on the match. But after the match, he wish me a good birthday. I don't know. He said me, like, Continue work hard.

Yeah, not too much (smiling).