C. ALCARAZ/J. Sinner
7-6, 6-1
THE MODERATOR: Carlitos, well done. Another Masters 1000 title. Do you feel today was your best match of your fortnight in Rome?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, probably. I think today was a great level I think for both of us, especially the first set. It was really, really tight, serving two set points. I knew at the beginning, the matches against Jannik are always really tactical matches.
I think today I started the match really well. Tactically since the beginning till the last ball, I didn't lose the focus, which is great for me.
Yeah, probably one of the best matches I played so far in terms of level, maintain all the level during the whole match. So I'm just really proud about that.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Your tactical performance, I thought you used variety really well, high balls, made it difficult for him. How has that aspect of your game developed over years? What have you done to become a better player tactically?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I played many matches already against Jannik in different surfaces, in all of the three of the surfaces.
I know how I have to play against him. Tactically, as I said, every time that I'm going to face Jannik, the matches are always tactically. I have to be ready and I have to think clear every time that I'm going to play the point or a game, the things that I have to do if I miss just to keep it going in the same way.
And yeah, at the beginning I knew what I have to do, and I maintained that kind of strategy during the whole match. I think was great. In terms of level, I think I played during a high level during the whole match.
Q. Jannik in his first tournament back really pushed you in the first set, two set points. Do you get the impression if you have to play him again in Paris, he can close the gap and make even more progress in his second tournament?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I know the first tournament after a long period without any matches in the back is always tough. I can't imagine how difficult it was for him because I haven't been in his position. I would lie if I tell that I feel him, that I understand him, because I have never been in that position to be in a good shape, to be ready physically, and not able to play a match.
The level he has played in this tournament is insane after three months without playing, without any tournament. I mean, what he has done, it's amazing. I mean, it's something that I have to have respect on that.
I'm pretty sure he's going to be better and better. This week of practicing, he's going to feel better. If he's winning in Roland Garros and he's going farther, I think much better he's going to feel.
He's going to be dangerous. He's going to be a really dangerous player in Paris. We're going to be both in both part of the draw, so let's see. But I'm pretty sure he's going to feel much better in Roland Garros.
Q. How much is different for you the day before a match against Jannik compared to the other top players? On court you're always so focused, while maybe with other players you go more with the flow. I'm wondering the fact that there was a lot of expectation on this match from the crowd. I'd like to know do you feel the same like Alcaraz-Sinner is the new Nadal-Federer, Nadal-Djokovic, whatever?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: He's the best players in the world. It doesn't matter that he was out of the tour for three months. Every tournament he's playing, he plays great. The numbers are there. I mean, he wins almost every match he plays. That's why I'm even more focused when I play against him.
If I don't play at my best, 10 out of 10, it's going to be impossible to beat him. That's why I'm more focused when I'm playing against him, or I feel a little bit different when I'm going to face him than other players.
I think obviously for the rest of the players are the same when they are facing Jannik. Is kind of different feeling. He has that aura. When you're seeing him at the other side of the net, it's kind of different.
That's why obviously I'm feeling that the people are putting so much, let's say - how can I say - pressure in a certain way to both of us when we are facing each other.
I'm not going to say I'm feeling like when Rafa and Roger are playing, but I'm feeling like is a different energy when we are facing against each other than other players.
Q. The other day Sinner said there were some players that in those three months that called him, and he didn't expect them to call him. Some other players didn't call him, and he was expecting them to call. Do you think he was maybe thinking about you? I found out recently that you said you didn't feel like calling him.
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I mean, that three months I can't feel him because I wasn't in that position. I mean, I can understand him that he was surprise about some players who call him. I didn't call him. I didn't talk to him in that three months.
But it wasn't about if I was agreed or not. I mean, I was playing. I was in my feelings, as well. Honestly, I can understand him that he was surprised about some other players who didn't call him. It is in his rights to say it.
I have to say that I don't know if he said that because of me or not.
Q. (No microphone.)
CARLOS ALCARAZ: I don't know if he was thinking about me, he wasn't thinking about me. I don't know that.
What I can say is I (indiscernible) him when he got injured sometimes just giving him my good energy just to have him back as soon as possible. It is about we're playing, fighting each other. In that three months, I can understand him, what he said.
Honestly, I don't know if he was thinking about some players or others.
Q. I remember at the beginning of Monte-Carlo you were talking about the tough time you'd been having mentally, having to reset from that. Since then you've won the two Masters titles you've played. What is the lesson from that for you?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, honestly the feeling that I'm having right now, it is totally different feeling that I was feeling before, let's say before in Miami or before that tournaments. I'm approaching every match in a different way, which I'm really proud about that. I found the right path, the right way again.
During the matches in some moments I just feeling totally different. Before I was totally nervous, couldn't handle the nerves as better as I'm doing right now. I was focus in other things that were important, about the results, about I have to win, I have to make results.
Right now I'm focusing in totally a different way, in different things, which just being happy, being proud about the moments that I'm living. I think that's the right path.
So I'm just feeling great, feeling great right now.
Q. How much does this trophy give you confidence for Roland Garros in one week?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I mean, of course winning tournaments, lifting trophies gives you a lot of confidence coming to the next tournaments. Masters 1000s give you a lot of confidence on yourself just to know that you are in the right path, in the right way, playing great tennis. So yeah, I'm just excited about what's come for me.
But yeah, that means that I'm doing the right things and I'm going to keep doing the right things, the right work, just coming to Paris.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports