Pablo Carreño: “I’m ready to be number 1”
MADRID, 24 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz confessed that it is a “dream” to be able to play the Davis Cup for the first time, which begins this Thursday, although he acknowledged that “it is not easy” and hopes to face it well thanks to the good relationship that the team has outside the track.
“With the team we have and the relationship we have off-court I don’t have so many nerves, but I try not to think too much about the game several days before to avoid them. Playing the first time in Davis Cup is not easy, but I will face it with the best possible way and the team is going to help me a lot, “revealed Carlos Alcaraz at a press conference.
The tennis player, who will be number 2 of the Spanish team in the tournament, said that for him to be able to play this event is a “dream come true”. “I have watched Davis Cup since I was a child and I am very excited to be here,” he acknowledged.
“I have seen many qualifiers, but I remember when I went to Valencia (2018) to see Ferrer against Kohlschreiber, which was a wonderful moment and when I thought that at some point I would be in that position,” he confessed.
Alcaraz, who has been progressing in the ATP ranking in this blazing 2021, believes he is doing “things right.” “The results have accompanied, but if not, I would have also felt satisfied with the work. I am gaining respect on the track and I am making myself known on the circuit little by little, you get used to people getting to know you “, be sincere.
“Everything has gone very fast, especially in less than a year, but it does not take away the illusion of continuing to improve and grow, I am clear about the path I have to take to fulfill my dream,” said Alcaraz, current number 32 of the world.
The young man remembered his last game in Madrid, on his 18th birthday and against Rafael Nadal. “It was a game that helped me a lot. I have been working with the psychologist, who has been helping me a lot and without her I would not be able to be here. From all experiences you learn, you have to fail and fall because from bad moments you learn and I have learned. I have played many important tournaments against great players and in great stadiums and I have learned from it, “he said.
PABLO CARREÑO: “I’M READY TO BE NUMBER 1”
On the other hand, tennis player Pablo Carreño expressed his wish that Roberto Bautista and Rafa Nadal could have competed in those Davis Cup Finals, but both are absent and leave him the role of theorist number one of the team led by Sergi Bruguera.
“I would rather be number two, because that would mean that we would have Roberto or Rafa, but I am ready to be number one,” he said with confidence.
Carreño believes that the match against Ecuador, which begins this Friday in Madrid, is going to be very important. “In the group we have Russia, one of the favorites for the title, and that makes all the games important. It will be important to win this tie and try to do it by winning all the games,” he said.
“Ecuador is here for something, they beat Japan there, which is not easy at all, and they are more used to playing at height. With Emilio Gómez I played in Indian Wells and at the beginning he did not play well at all and gave me an advantage, but here They are totally different conditions and we will have to be careful, “said Carreño.
In addition, the tennis player who achieved bronze at the Tokyo Olympic Games acknowledged that the medal was “a before and after” in his career. “Perhaps it is one of the most important achievements that I have achieved and it gives you extra strength and confidence for any competition. Here you also play representing your country and, although it does not depend only on you, I can have a little more confidence. Hopefully that experience in Tokyo can help me, “he concluded.