ROLAND GARROS

June 1, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/B. Shelton

7-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Carlitos, well done. How key was that first set against Ben tonight?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: I mean, was really important to get that first set. It was a really close one. He had set points. He could have won that set, so it would have been even tougher if I would have lost that first set.

But I just really happy to just keep it going after that really tough first set and having a great match, great level, and get the win in the fourth.

THE MODERATOR: English yes, please.

Q. Ben is obviously one of the bigger servers in the world, but you are also one of the best returners in the world. When you were younger, when you first came on the tour, I guess, like, 2021, what was it like first coming up against your first big servers? How tough was that? How long did it take you to adjust? I remember you played, like, Zverev really early on. So what was that like?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Honestly, I don't remember against the first great server when I came to the tour. I remember in the beginning that I didn't like to play against a Zverev, for example, or these guys who has really big serve and playing solid from the baseline. I didn't want to play against them at the beginning.

Right now I don't mind, honestly, because I believe in my return. Yeah, for example, today I just felt great returning, so it wasn't a problem at all for me. So I learned how to play against these players, and right now I'm feeling really comfortable.

Q. A much different player tonight than the other night, but were there things you wanted to do today that you didn't do the other night? And do you feel like things are heading in the right direction for you?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think so. I mean, today I just was really focused and trying to show my good tennis, playing aggressively, hitting great shots.

At the beginning it was difficult for me to play in that level. I just tried to play more solid than aggressive. Probably I made dumb mistakes that I had to go for it all the time. I found the right way in the match. I tried to keep it in that direction, but yeah, I mean, tennis is like this. One round you're playing against one opponent, and the next round you're playing a totally different game, so you have to get used to the game from the opponent. Mostly it's just I try to be focused on myself all the time.

Q. You're playing a very different opponent next in Tommy Paul. You two have had some really great matches against each other in the past and kind of a fun little mini-rivalry you have with him. What do you think it is about that matchup that produces such good tennis, and if there are any memories of you playing Tommy in the past that stand out specifically?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I remember that every match that I've played against him he was really tough. He was really difficult. In Grand Slams, in Masters 1000, and all the tournaments I've played against him it wasn't easy at all.

I lost a lot, a few matches against him as well. He is in the quarterfinals of another Grand Slam, so his level is really high right now. He has a lot of confidence, I'm pretty sure. It's going to be a really interesting match.

I will try to just keep going, just trying to be better. I will try to learn from the mistakes that I made today. I'm not going to make the same, you know, against Tommy, but I think for the people, it's going to be a really interesting match to watch, because every time we play against each other, we rise our level to the top as well.

We make really good rallies, good points. So I think it's going to be great to watch as well. It's going to be a good quarterfinal.

Q. I wanted to ask you about that point at the start of the second set when you threw your racquet. Ben thought you won the point. The chair umpire thought you won the point. Everybody did. Why did you give away the point? And was there any part of you that considered keeping your mouth shut?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: You know, I have to say, I thought, Okay, I could not say anything, but I would have felt guilty if I didn't say anything, you know, about it.

It's just about if I know that I didn't or I did a wrong thing, wrong shots or an illegal shot, I have to say. You know, I have to be honest with myself. I have to be honest with Ben, with everyone.

I think that's the sport or should be like this, just to be fair with the opponent, with yourself. I said it because, as I said, because I knew that it was an illegal shot. It shouldn't be allowed, so that's why I said it.

At the beginning on the first set, Ben had another thing that, for example, he serve, you know, touch the net. The umpire didn't said it, and he asked me, We can repeat it if you want.

So, I mean, it's just about the respect we have against each other, and I think that the sports in general should be like this.

Q. Can you rate Ben Shelton's level on clay? Clay is very challenging for him because he literally grew up on hard courts, but he was really close to you today. How do you rate his overall clay game?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think he has a really great game to play on clay court, honestly. I think, yeah, he understood how to play on clay, and I think he can play a really great level on clay.

He has shown today what he is able to do on clay or every surface. Yeah, he grew up playing on hard court or on another surface, but I think he's been on tour a few years already, and he's understanding how to play on clay as well.

We are going to see a great level from Ben, you know, in the future on clay.