THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 6, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/A. Rublev

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

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Do you even remember how you were playing last year at this time in this tournament? You played so many other matches. Is there any way to compare where you are now versus where you were then, or even where you were at the French Open a couple of weeks ago?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, yeah, I remember a little bit when I played quarterfinal last year. I remember a little bit the level that I was playing.

If I'm not wrong, I played Tommy Paul, Court 1. It was a pretty good match. I think we played a really great quality of tennis.

So this year for me is kind of different. It is a different kind of tennis this year on Wimbledon because I think is a different feeling. For me, it's a little bit slower, the balls are a little bit slower. It's kind of different feeling.

But today I just played my best match so far on the tournament. Just feeling great. Obviously in the French Open, it was totally different because I was playing more matches on clay before the French Open.

So right now just trying to get that feeling, the feeling that I just really proud and happy that I got today, much better than the previous matches. Hopefully keep it going and feeling even more comfortable.

Q. Can you talk about the challenge of facing Cameron Norrie, a Brit, on Centre Court? Secondly, he was inspired by you to go to Ibiza after the French Open. Do you think you set a trend for other tennis players?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: First of all, facing Cam is always really, really difficult. We have really difficult battles already. Yeah, for me facing him is almost a nightmare, to be honest. Really tough from the baseline. I'm not surprised he's on the quarterfinal playing a great tennis because I've seen him practicing.

When he lost at Queen's, he stayed for five days practicing morning, afternoon, and night. I saw him. So I'm not surprising at all seeing his level. So it's going to be really different.

He's playing at home, as well, so he's going to use the crowd to his side. I have to be really strong mentally and focused to play a good tennis if I want to beat him.

Yeah, a lot of tennis player have told me about Ibiza. So I don't know. I just going to ask Ibiza to pay me a little bit from that (smiling).

I'm just happy to see that the things that I'm doing is always helpful for other players just to be happy or to play a good tennis. It doesn't matter if it is Ibiza or other places. Just find a place that being peaceful for them, and they are going to use it for his favor in the tournaments.

Q. We know you love golf. I was speaking to a former England cricketer named Stuart Broad the other day. He is a member of the same club as you. When Wimbledon is over, will you take him on in golf like you've done with Andy Murray? He thinks he is going to beat you.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: What, sorry?

Q. A former England cricketer called Stuart Broad, he's a member of the same golf club as you. He thinks that he has a chance of beating you if you played. Will you be up for a game against him?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, let's see. Yeah, I'm just trying to play as much golf as I can my day off during the tournament, when I'm having some days off at home. Yeah, I mean, let's see. My schedule is a little bit busy, but once I finish Wimbledon, just why not? Just have to improve a little bit, my golf.

But it is a place or a sport that is really helpful for me to switch off my mind a little bit. A match in golf is always welcome for me. So let's see when Wimbledon is over, and I will try.

Q. What changes the most, if anything? What's the most difficult about playing a left-handed player like Cam? Do you always practice with a lefty before a match against a lefty?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I'm not that kind of player that have or need a lefty player just to warm up or to practice. Obviously it's helpful if you practice with a lefty. So tomorrow I will try, for sure, if there is any sparring lefty available. So I will try to practice a little bit.

Is always for me tricky to play against a lefty. The slice serve in the advantage side, it's more difficult for me. Or I would say it's more difficult for everyone, so...

But, well, let's see how it's going to be playing against Cam. I will try not to think about the lefty, the left side, or he has advantage or something. I just will try to see tactically how I can play and let's see.

But yeah, tomorrow I will try to play and practice a little bit with a lefty.

Q. The athlete is out in the arena all by himself in tennis in front of thousands for hours. What goes through your mind? What is your conversation with yourself? Do you stay always calm? What goes on?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, yeah, tennis is really a mental sport. How you talk to yourself is really, really important through the whole match. So I just trying to be as much positive as I can. Sometimes is really difficult. A lot of narratives, thoughts come to your mind most of the time because tennis match could be really long.

But I'm trying that there is going to be, like, for few seconds, and then it's gone again. Trying to fill my mind with positive thoughts all the time. Just repeating myself that I can do it, let's go for it, all the things that are really helpful to play your best and not being afraid to play aggressively or to play my A plan.

That's my conversation with myself, that it's really, really important to fill your mind with positive thoughts.

Q. You slide on grass more often than most players. Were you ever scared to do that? What did it take for you to get to the point where you could do this with your regular movement?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, this year I started to slide earlier than previous year. I can't tell you exactly when I started the previous year. 2023 was in the final. Last year it was against Tiafoe. This year it was in Queen's.

For me, it's really important to slide on grass because it gives me a lot of confidence in the movement. Just being with a lot of freedom when I have to move, to defend. Yeah, it gives me a lot of confidence then to play.

Yeah, I just started at Queen's before the second round. I was afraid a little bit in the first rounds, on the first hours on grass. But then when I started, the first time that I slides, then all those thoughts were gone and started to feel really comfortable.

Q. Two years ago when you started in the final, how come it took so long? What made you decide then to do it?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Because we were in the final. Then I thought, Okay, I have to go for it with everything that I have inside.

I try not to think about it. I just try to let my whole body just do it. I was really happy to be able to do it. As I said, thanks to that, I gave myself a lot of freedom of doing it. I'm feeling more comfortable.

Just we were in the final, and I was like, Okay, if I got injured, I don't mind. Just go for it.