ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 9, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz

Mixed Zone

C. ALCARAZ/D. Evans

7-6, 6-4

Q. This is the second match between you and Dan after US Open, and that one is also really amazing. What do you think it is with Dan that brings out the best in you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think that the conditions are quite different here from the US Open. It's slower than US Open, so I had to adapt my game a little bit. He was more aggressive probably than the other matches.

So, as you said, it was one of the toughest matches that I've played this year, outside the Grand Slam. I don't know. I had to stay strong mentally, physically, but I think that this match is, I won this match because strong mentally and strong physically.

Q. I want to know, from your perspective, what's the key factors, including physical and emotional, for winning the game?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Sorry?

Q. What's the key factors for winning the game?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think stay strong mentally was the key to be able to win this match, because I had a lot of opportunities that I missed them, all of them. It would be easy to be out mentally, you know, and I think I stayed strong in that part, and keep going, waiting my chances and trying to play, you know, my best in every moment, I think that was the key.

Q. Could you look ahead to your match with Grigor?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, well, we have played great matches. For me, I don't think about if I lose a set or not against him. I think he has a great game, you know, he's a really talented player. He kind of gives you a lot of shots on the court, so it's going to be a little bit tricky for me.

I'll try to be focused all the time and, you know, don't let him to dominate the game. I think he'll feel comfortable if the match is going to his side, so I try to put pressure on him, and let's see how it's going to be.

Q. Carlos, it's always fun for many fans to watch you play, or anyone play against a one-hander with a lot of variety, but how much do you enjoy yourself to play against a player like that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think I have a good weapon to those players, you know, putting pressure on his backhand or his game and to try to dominate the game. I think that's all I try to do in every match against that kind of player, and I think I did pretty well so far.