C. ALCARAZ/D. Lajovic
6-3, 6-3
Q. How was the match today? How did the thigh feel?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, today was a great match, great start of the tournament. Honestly, I expect, let's say, worse match from my side. But I just really, really happy.
The most important thing was the injury. I was going in the match if I was going to feel it or not. Today was great. I made few sprint, I move great today without any pain, which is great.
So it was a great day.
Q. Did it require anything more than just rest? Were you working out, training, doing other stuff, or did you have to shut it down?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: During the tournament or what do you mean?
Q. When you didn't play in Madrid, did you just rest or were you able to move, train, do weights? What was the therapy?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Honestly, I took some days without doing anything. Just recovering with the physio. Didn't do any physical pression. Didn't do any movement at all.
When I went home on Monday after coming back from Madrid, I did a test. I want to see how was it. It was perfect almost. Then I started to practice.
It was a mix of everything, you know? It was a mix of taking it easily and, of course, practicing, too, to get ready to Rome.
Q. What is the key to a good dropshot?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: First of all, you have to just to have opponent few steps back. I don't know how to explain. Is just natural for me.
The most important thing, you have to find the great moment just to do it because is much better to do a not great dropshot but in a great moment than a pretty good dropshot in not a good moment. You have to find the balance on that.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports