“I’m very happy to be back playing on this wonderful court again. It was really special to win today. I was a little surprised by the level of my opponent, I think he played fantastically. I’m convinced that if he continues like this, he will quickly climb the rankings. I’m also satisfied with the level that I expressed of course.”
Carlitos Alcaraz opened the program on Centre Court at Wimbledon, as tradition wants, being the defending champion. In the subsequent press conference, he praised his rival Mark Lajal, author of an excellent performance in the first two sets. Carlos colored his 1st round match as a champion at the Championships with a victory that had a special flavor.
Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon 2024© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport
The Spaniard had to deal with a tougher opponent than expected, because the qualifier showed off and expressed a high level of play for two sets. Alcaraz deserved credit for being able to make the right play in delicate moments and still closed without conceding a single set to his rival.
“It’s always difficult to start a tournament, the first match is complicated because you have to adapt to the conditions.
He played without having anything to lose, the first rounds are not easy at all. I hope to continue like this. I have a lot of fun when I play on grass and, specifically, at Wimbledon. It’s a surface that allows me to express my style of play at its best.
I love playing on grass and I often try to go to the net. Last year I achieved great results,” he added in the press conference.
Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon 2024© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport
The Spaniard then revealed his preference between best-of-three or best-of-five set matches.
“Five sets. It’s always more difficult to beat the great players in best-of-five set matches. If I have to choose, I prefer to play best-of-five, because I feel like I have more opportunities to recover during a match. Even if I’m down two sets, I feel like I still have time to come back,” he explained.
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