ROLEX MONTE-CARLO MASTERS

April 10, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/D. Altmaier

6-3, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. What is your view on this match? I mean, the score doesn't necessarily reflect the match, do you agree?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I agree. It was difficult, because I had to be really focused during the whole match. You know, just even more in the first set, it was a real battle.

At the beginning of the match, we played really long and tough rallies, really close games. I think we both played great tennis.

At the end of the first set, I think I played such a great level, playing aggressively, hitting really good shots. I think thanks to that I could step in the second set with less nerves, let's say, or more calm, be more myself, still hitting great shots and playing aggressively dropshots or trying to find, you know, my forehand all the time, which was great.

But in general, it was a tough match, because Daniel is playing great tennis.

Q. Talk about maybe the improvement you do between the first match against Francisco and the match against Daniel. Do you think you are growing up a little bit? You have to improve a little bit?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I just felt more comfortable. I think when you are coming to a new surface, you have to just play more time just to get better and better, to feel more comfortable.

You know, from the first match, I realized how I have to play here on clay, that I have to be myself all the time. That's the way that I enjoy playing tennis. Just, you know, playing aggressive just doesn't qualify me, and I realize that after the first set in the first round.

After that, I think I'm just feeling better and better. As much time as I spending on court, I think I'm going to feel better. Hopefully in quarterfinal, let's see how it's gonna be, but I guess I'm gonna feel better moving, playing, so I think it's gonna be better.

Q. There were some amazing points, and you said already Daniel played great. He beat Jannik two years ago at the French Open. In this form, right now, what do you think is achievable? What is possible for him?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I don't know. Reaching good rounds in the best tournaments, yeah, he has shown he's able to beat the top players. He beat Felix in the first round here, so that means what is his level.

I don't know. I think he can, you know, win an ATP. He can, yeah, giving trouble to other player. I mean, even more on clay. I think his game suits pretty well to clay, so I think on clay he's able to play really great tennis or even win an ATP tournament. Why not?

Q. Next round you will play Arthur Fils, who was impressive today against Rublev. What do you expect from that match? And what difference does it make when it's a first time you play someone?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it's going to be new for both, I guess. I mean, he's playing great. I think he's the only player who made at least the quarterfinal in every Masters 1000.

I mean, his level is really high right now. I saw a little bit from his match today, and he's playing great. I'm not gonna be scared; that's for sure. I'll just try to play my tennis, try to show good tennis, put pressure on him. Let's see how it's gonna be, but I'm excited about facing him for the first time and see how it's gonna be.

But, yeah, it's going to be a really tough battle. But at the same time, it's going to be beautiful to play and I guess beautiful to watch.

Q. Carlos, you change a few things on your serve at the beginning of this season. How do you judge it right now, the efficiency of your serve?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Oh, just, I guess, getting better. Here on clay, the serve, it doesn't as important as probably in other surface, so I have to realize what I need, if I need percentage or I need more power.

So I'm just seeing what is better right now. So here on clay, it's difficult to say if I'm getting better or no, because as I said, probably, you know, every player is putting the return in and playing the point.

So probably you can hit a really good serve, and the return is going to be in. So I just can say that I'm feeling better, I'm feeling great with the serve, and hopefully get better.