Alcaraz, top-20: “I see myself prepared for that level”

Carlos Alcaraz conquered the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro after defeating Argentine Diego Schwartzman 6-4, 6-2. A triumph that adds to those of Umag in 2021 and the NextGen Finals. Everything, with 18 years.

With his victory, the Murcian rises from 29th in the ATP to 20th. “I look ready to be at that level. I feel amazing and I’m ready”, He exhibited after defeating a player as experienced as the 14th in the world and after having defeated Matteo Berrettini (6th in the ATP) and Fabio Fognini on Saturday in two games. “I have felt good and I have believed in myself. I have felt at home in my second year in Rio”, he thanked the public. There he debuted in an ATP tournament.

At a press conference, Alcaraz analyzed the match and spoke about his future and his aspirations before receiving applause from the Brazilian journalists, who had not narrated a Spanish success in Rio since David Ferrer achieved it in 2015, succeeding Rafa Nadal in the list of winners. .

Sensations: “I am super happy to have won my first ATP 500, my second title (the NextGen ATP Finals does not count). The truth is that it has been a week full of emotions and to be able to win this final has been a great joy despite all the difficulties, of all the adversities that have come along the way, knowing how to solve them the way I have done it is super nice. Being able to enjoy this with the team I have is spectacular”.

River: “Here in Rio I won my first ATP match, two years later winning the tournament means a lot to me. When I came for the first time, I came to continue enjoying myself, to learn from the best. This time I had high expectations and I came thinking that I can win , that I am a candidate, although I have to continue improving, it is very nice”.

Ranking: “The goal was not to go down, but to keep going up. Now I have several tournaments that I couldn’t play in last year, so they are an opportunity to keep growing and going up. This tournament has given me a lot of motivation and the desire to keep playing and going up.” “.

Objectives: “My ambitions are to be number one in the world, winner of Grand Slams, winner of Olympic medals… I am a boy who dreams big.”

Expectation and pressure: “The expectations that people have of me are high and I appreciate that they see that I can be the best in the world, but both my team and I know how difficult it is. I have Juan Carlos (Ferrero), who was already number one in the world and you can tell me how difficult and sacrificed it is to become one. I think I’m on the right track and if I don’t deviate from it and keep doing things right it won’t be guaranteed, but I will have opportunities.”

Favorite?: “When I go to a tournament I always think that I can win, even if the best in the world are there. Although I know that it is very difficult and I am thinking of giving my best and improving myself. If the results accompany it, much better. But the intention is to give my best in every training session and in every game.

Compliments: “That Diego says good things about me, means that I hide my nerves very well in important moments. Everyone differentiates decisive points, and the one who manages them best will be the one who does best. I am working and improving that, in thinking They are one more point without giving it too much importance and without letting the rival know that I’m nervous”.

Celebration: “I have a group of friends in Murcia and among us we call ourselves Lupas, which doesn’t have any special meaning, but it makes us laugh. And they told me to hold a special celebration related to that nickname.”

Character: “I was a bit nervous against a rival who knew what it was like to win titles and finals, I had only played one before, but I showed maturity, character on the court and the ability to overcome, calm down and be strong mentally.”