BNP PARIBAS OPEN

March 14, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/J. Draper

6-2, 2-0 [Ret.]

THE MODERATOR: Obviously, as you said on court, not the way you wanted to win, but how were you feeling the ball and everything out there tonight?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, yeah, as you said, it's something that I didn't want to happen. But talking for myself, yeah, I hit the ball really well. I think I move very well as well. I got more confidence to learn from.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You had that long layoff because of the injuries. As soon as you got to Argentina, did you immediately feel like you were a favorite again, you know, a former No. 1 player? Or did you have to get back any confidence?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, yeah, I have to go back to my usual confidence, you know. Yeah, I didn't feel I was the favorite once I start in Argentina, for example. But yeah, as soon as I was playing matches, tournaments, I was recovering my confidence, I was recovering, let's say, my style, my level, and once I -- yeah, right now I feel that I'm able to win tournaments. I'm there. One of the favorites.

But once I start to play in tournaments again, I didn't feel that I was the favorite.

Q. When you're coming back or when you haven't played for quite some time, is there a specific shot or something that when that works, you know that you're feeling well? Is there a specific thing in your game?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, the forehand down the line. When I hit the forehand down the line really well, I say to myself, All right, I'm in a good level right now (smiling).

Q. So you say the forehand down the line. Is that the hardest shot for you, is that your favorite shot? What is it about that shot that is the one that makes you feel like you're in your rhythm?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, yeah, let's say it's one of my favorite shots when I hit the ball really hard, you know. I hit the winner down the line and hit the ball really clearly. You know, yeah, that point, yeah, I say I'm in a good level. You know, yeah, is one of my favorite shots.

Q. When you serve to the ad court, you're moving way over. Is that recent? I didn't used to notice that.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, well, it's something I practiced when I was younger, when I was young. Yeah, and trying to move the opponent off the court, you know, to have, let's say, all the court empty, you know, for the next shot.

But for me, help me a lot, you know, to have the good angle to, yeah, to have easy shot in the next one.