Carlos Alcarazthe world number two and first seed for the Rio Open, sat down with MARCA last Monday after a long day in which he visited the governor of Rio at the Palacio das Laranjeiras.
Ask. How far are you from your best level?
Answer. I don’t think I’m very far away, but I still have to reach that level that I have already shown on many occasions, both in tennis and in confidence, in knowing how to manage certain moments.
Q. What reflection do you make of your defeat in the Buenos Aires semifinal against the Chilean Nicolás Jarry?
R. I’m hitting the ball well, but I have to learn to play in certain situations such as break points. The difficult moments, the nerves are there, I have to know how to manage that.
I have to be on top of my game so that Sinner doesn’t pass me
Q. Do you think a lot about the fact that you haven’t won a title since Wimbledon?
R. Honestly, I’m not worried. The year is very long and I don’t pay much attention to it. Obviously I want to win again, because I want to have a good result in every tournament I go to. I try not to get more frustrated than necessary for not getting results and titles. You have to learn from every moment that passes, from every defeat, which is when you learn. What I really pay attention to now is knowing how to manage certain moments and knowing how to read games better, which is something I need.
Q. One of the changes that you are going to apply from now on is the more frequent presence of your coach Alberto Lledó in the calendar events. Because?
R. In the end, having Alberto with me is a great support. During tournaments I always do physical exercises and it is super necessary. What better way than to take my coach with me to tournaments, which is where he can best control things. You can see everything. I think it’s a positive change and I’m sure I’ll notice it.
I would like to experience another face to face with Nadal once again
Q. What is Jannik Sinner doing well to win five titles in four and a half months?
R. I have always said that there is no secret. He has worked very hard and it has shown. In every tournament he is very focused on the things he has to do, he is a very hard worker. I discuss it with Juan Carlos (Ferrero) many times when we see him. If I compare him with the Sinner from before, he has made a change to professional. It was before but now it is even more so, to work every day and have things clear. The day-to-day work pays off and that is what has happened with Jannik and I am both happy for him and for his team.
Q. The Italian tennis player has become number three with the title in Rotterdam. You aspire to number 1, but do you notice your breath?
R. I do notice his breath. I think he still got 1,000 points, but for Jannik that’s nothing. I have to be on top of my game as much as I can to try to keep him from catching up with me and recover number one.
Having Djokovic’s 24 grand is thinking too much
Q. Would you like to play with Rafa Nadal again before he retires? At Roland Garros, for example?
R. Of course I would like it, wherever it is. I would like to face him again, compete against him, that face to face on the track I would like to experience once or twice more. Those that are possible. It would be incredible to be able to play again.
Q. You commented on Saturday, after losing the semifinal in Buenos Aires, that the defeat had hurt you. What is the game that you have lost in recent months that has hurt you the most?
R. There have been several defeats that have hurt me, such as those of Zverev and Djokovic in the ATP Finals and the last one by Jarry in Buenos Aires.
Q. Rafael Nadal commented last week in an interview that Novak Djokovic is the best in history. With Nadal’s statement that he is one of those involved, does the debate of who is the GOAT end?
R. Everyone has their own perception of things. For some, Djokovic is the best, for others it is Rafa, for others it is Federer. Rafa said that he is Djokovic in terms of numbers and I think so too. In terms of numbers, Djokovic is the best in history, there is no doubt about that. I believe that saying who is the best is something that goes beyond numbers. All three are there and for me all three are very big.
I will get a tattoo again if I win Australia, Roland Garros or the Games
Q. Is it a realistic goal to compete for Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam titles?
R. Having Djokovic’s 24 grand is thinking too much. It’s something I look for, obviously, and who wouldn’t look for that Grand Slam number or even more, but it’s too big to think about.
Q. The last time you cried over a defeat?
R. I’m not sure, but I would say after losing in the semifinals of the ATP Finals in Turin against Djokovic.
Topuria has a better forehand than Nadal and I and he has proven it
Q. You keep repeating that reaching the top of the podium at the Paris Games is above all else in 2024. Is there a player who inspires you to achieve it?
R. Murray inspires me because he has won two individual Olympic golds. I hope I also achieve two.
Q. Will you prepare in a special way to reach the Paris event at your best?
R. No, because I also want to win Grand Slam and Masters 1000 tournaments.
Q. Who has a better forehand, Nadal, Topuria or you?
R. I would say Topuria and he has proven it.
Q. You already have several tattoos, the date you won the US Open and Wimbledon, accompanied by a strawberry. Does she know when, where and why she would get herself tattooed?
R. If I win the Australian Open, Roland Garros or the Olympic Games. I would do it on the other ankle.