MUTUA MADRID OPEN

May 7, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/J.L. Struff

6-4, 3-6, 6-3

(Press conference conducted in Spanish first.)

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. A word on Jan-Lennard today. His tactic, very aggressive on the returns, especially the second serve. The serve/volley, as well. Did any of his tactics, the serve/ volley and aggression on the serve, did it surprise you? And if it did, did you have to change anything after five or six games?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: No, it didn't. I knew his game. I knew he was going to play aggressive, serve and volley, trying to attack my serve. I knew everything he has done today.

So all I can say is I had to be really, really focused, you know, on every shot from him, trying to, you know, push him to a limit, try not let him play his game.

But it was tough for me to do it. I just tried to return every serve, trying to, you know, make good passing shots. But nothing he has done surprised me at all.

Q. So next is Rome. Give us some thoughts on the transition from here in Madrid to Rome.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I have never played in Rome, so it's gonna be my first time playing Rome. I really want to play there. I missed last year. So this is a tournament that I looking for since I was kid.

I don't know how it's gonna be, Rome. I don't know the feelings over there, but for sure I'm gonna enjoy that tournament. Of course it's great to play in front of the Italian crowd again.