Carreño: “When Alcaraz plays at that level it’s hard to follow him”

Pablo Carreño (30) entered the press room of the Real Club de Tenis de Barcelona without the loser’s drama. He fell in the final against Carlos Alcaraz, but the Asturian has won in this Godó. He has recovered sensations in a bitter 2022 and takes that recovery from a special tournament. He knows that, when the Murcian picks up the pace, few will be able to follow him.

The Godó tournament. “It was a positive week. I played at a good level, I enjoyed myself, although I’m leaving with a bad taste in my mouth because of the final, but I have to be very happy and move on”.

The final. “We come from a very tough week. We had to double on Friday and this Sunday. Alcaraz played a tough and long game in the morning, but then he played very aggressively this afternoon. Perhaps being so tired he saw clearly how to play and he was very successful “.

final sensations. “I’m leaving very satisfied because the week was positive. I wanted to recover sensations, in Monte Carlo it seemed that some were already coming out. I had them in all the games, but Alcaraz played very well and gave me very few options”.

Differences between Schwartzman and Alcaraz. “They are two totally different rivals. Playing against Diego is complicated because he fails very little and imposes a rhythm that is difficult to follow, but with the serve he does not do the same damage. Carlos’s ball comes with a strength and intensity that is very difficult to follow. This morning I was fresher, but it was difficult for me to keep up, I couldn’t be at the level. I want to keep the positive”.

Friendship with Alcaraz before the final. “When I finished my game, I went to prepare. I went to eat, I watched his game and then I continued with my routine. A lot of them coincide with his. My coach was his coach’s coach, so there were many things that we did similar The food, the breaks… We coincide a lot in the locker room. We were resting on the sofas. We are in a tournament where there is a club, a gym… We agree and we will not insult each other before playing. We are friends and we respect each other”.

How to play Alcaraz. “I know him a lot, I knew how to play him, but this year he is at a very high level. He has three titles, with a Master 1000 and two 500. You have to put into practice what you think you have to do. He shot very hard, He had winners from many places. I needed to be very accurate, I was not comfortable with the backhand and the serve did not help me.”

How he saw Alcaraz before De Miñaur. “I know his level and I know how difficult it can be to face a match like the one in the morning. I saw him low in intensity at the beginning of the second set games. I knew that at any moment he can make that click. When he plays at that level It’s difficult to follow him. I knew that at 18 years of age, the desire and the physique make him recover better. It didn’t work out as I expected”.

The future. “Hopefully we will face each other many times and in better finals. The academy is doing a great job, their team is doing very well. Let’s continue because I hope to have another opportunity”.

It’s 2022. “After Australia, for no great reason, my level began to drop and I hesitated. The mind is important, in Indian Wells or in Miami I had match points and I lost. In Monte Carlo I recovered sensations with Zverev. It was important to enjoy and continue with that dynamic. It’s what I should do, enjoy a lot. I’m leaving happy”.