C. ALCARAZ/L. Musetti
6-3, 7-6
THE MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. You talked on court about being solid and not overplaying. How has that aspect of your game kind of developed over the years? Given what you know you're capable of doing on the court, has it ever been challenging sometimes being solid and not doing too much?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I mean, sometimes is difficult because sometimes when I see the ball coming, a lot of things come to my mind. Sometimes is difficult to choose the right decision.
But I'm trying to improve that part of my game, as well, trying not to think too much and do the right things always, even though if it is not the brilliant shot or the brilliant decision.
Depends on the day, as well. Days like today with a lot of wind, it's always difficult to hit the ball clear. You have to go to the smart decision just trying to be patient, trying to wait your chances. If the points or the rally goes to 10, 12, 13 shots, you have to be ready for that battle. You have to be ready for that and try to wait until you can go aggressively.
Sometimes is difficult, but I think today I did it pretty well.
Q. Will you watch the match tonight or are you going out maybe for dinner?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I'm going to have dinner. But my phone is going to be there watching the match (smiling). I have to know against I'm going to play. I have to watch the match and see how they are going to play.
But obviously I'm a huge fan of tennis. The semifinal of Rome, Jannik against Tommy, is a great match that I love watching.
Q. In your documentary you mentioned that one of the toughest moments in your career was the loss at Olympic Games. What are your thoughts about Novak saying he may be playing the next Olympic Games?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I mean, his body is feeling like he's 25 years old. It is crazy how he maintain the good level going into the matches. The level is another thing. He can struggle, or he's been struggling in terms of level. But I think physically he's in a really good shape.
Is depend on him. I'm pretty sure if his goal is to play another Olympic Games, I think he's able to do it. Of course, I think he take care a lot of his body, of everything just to be at his hundred percent. If he's got that, he can do it for sure.
I could be more than happy to see him more years on tour playing, sharing good moments, sharing good tournaments with him. I could be more than happy if that happens.
Q. You're younger than Musetti but probably have more experience at this level. Do you think that was the reason he had 28 unforced errors in the first set? Are you surprised that Musetti just said that he thinks you will be the favorite at Roland Garros, even if you have to play Sinner and the others?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: First of all, I mean, he has been this position before. This is the third Masters semifinal in a row he play. But obviously sometime is difficult when you're playing the home. You want to win. It is in your mind all the time. I mean, I want to win. I want to make the final here at home. I want to make them proud of me.
Sometimes that thoughts play against you.
Probably at the beginning, I mean, he made a lot of mistakes. At the beginning he was really nervous. I could saw it. I tried to make the most of it, of that mistakes. I tried to be solid, playing smart in that moments. That's why I won the first set.
For me was a little bit, let's say, easier for him being one set down in a semifinal. Probably could be tough to come back. I'm not going to say it was because of the experience, but playing at home sometime it is against you.
The thoughts of him that I'm the favorite of Roland Garros, it is great that someone like Lorenzo who is top 10 seeing myself as the favorite of Roland Garros.
I say so many times, I don't want to think about it. All I can say is I'm feeling great. I have a lot of confidence right now. Yes, I would love to go to Roland Garros and try to enjoy the tournament and being in Paris.
Q. We've seen some improvement of you from the beginning of the tournament until now. Do you think now you're at your best, ready for the final, or are you missing any details?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I always say that you can be better. Obviously I've been trying to improve after every day, after every match, after every practice. I think is an opportunity to be better, to improve.
I'm going to say I'm ready for that final. I'm excited to play my first final here in Rome. I have a lot of confidence. I know that I'm feeling great, I'm playing great tennis. Always can be better.
Hopefully in the final I'm going to approach the match in the right way and play even better. But right now I'm really happy with the level that I'm playing and I made improvement since the beginning of the tournament.
Q. How much do you see another chapter with Jannik in the final?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: It could be great, I'm not going to lie. He has a really tough challenge ahead playing Tommy Paul, who is playing great tennis.
Who knows? He's playing great. I've been watching his matches. His level is really high right now. Every time that I play against him is always a battle, is always really, really tough. I kind of enjoy that moments, as well.
But I play him in the final would be even more challenging playing against him at home with the people behind him supporting him. It's going to be a really difficult challenge.
But let's see. I going to watch the match tonight. Who wins tonight deserves to be in the final. It going to be a really difficult one.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports