CHINA OPEN

October 3, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

J. SINNER/C. Alcaraz

7-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Could you share a few thoughts about how you felt your performance was, especially in the second set where you seemed to fall apart a little bit compared to how well you were playing in the first set.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think I played a good tennis in the first set - as I'm saying in almost every press conference - trying to take my chances. Today it wasn't. I had chances to have the second break in the first set. Didn't take it. Some break points after. Didn't take it.

Against players like Jannik, if you don't take the chances, it's more difficult to win or to be up in the score. Is something that I have to learn about.

Obviously he played really good tennis, as well. I had to change a little bit my game. I couldn't do that. I tried to play deeper. I couldn't. I tried to play more tactically. I didn't do well in that part. That's something that I have to learn about if I want to beat Jannik.

This is something that in the second set I was out of my mind. I just complaining a lot, something that is really difficult to play your best if you're complaining or you mad of yourself. That what it happened.

Q. Can you share more about why it's so difficult to play against Jannik.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, Jannik is really a complete player. He almost did it everything well. He push you to the limit in every shot. You have to hit perfectly the ball if you want to be alive in the point.

Even if you think you hit the ball really, really well, even that he can return it better than yours. It's something that he do it very, very well. The return, his return, is amazing. His serve is really well, as well.

It's really difficult to play against him. Obviously his mobility is really well, as well. You have to find the way to beat him or to be dangerous to his tennis. It's difficult. That's why he's one of the best in the world.

Q. This is your first tournament playing in China. Are you satisfied with your performance here in Beijing? What is your expectations in Shanghai?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I really enjoy playing here in Beijing. I think my level was really, really high. I felt really comfortable. Whether if it is my first trip here to China, I feel like I've been playing here for many years. The fans were great, as well. I really felt really comfortable on this court. It was a great tournament for me.

I'm coming to Shanghai with a lot of confidence, even if I lost today. But it doesn't matter for me, I just focus on be better, a better player, and focus on do the things that I didn't won today, and try to win the tournament. That's my goal to Shanghai.

Hopefully to play the same level that I did in this tournament, hopefully to have good result over there.

Q. I heard some news that you picked up some injury either during US Open or after US Open. There's doubt whether you will be in China Open. Now China Open is finished. Are you 100% healthy now? Will we see a better Carlitos in Shanghai?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I'm not going to say it's going to be a better Carlitos in Shanghai. I feel really, really well in this tournament. Just taking care of my body with my team. Obviously there's some problems, but it is normal. It's nothing serious. I played at my 100% physically.

In Shanghai is going to be the same: 100% health. Hopefully during the tournament that is going to be a week and a half not going to feel any problem. That's a goal for me. Is something that we are going to prepare with my team to be healthy, to be prepared for the really tough matches that is going to have. Let's see.

But right now I'm 100% healthy.