THE MODERATOR: We have our youngest-ever ATP year-end No. 1.
Carlos, how does it feel to have that title and that recognition?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: It means a lot to me. I mean, to get this trophy, the world No. 1, to be part of tennis history along with a lot of legends, for me is an amazing feeling.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Is it sort of a little bit of mixed feelings because you're not here to be able to play, but at the same time you're here to collect this great award, prestigious honor?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I mean, I'm a little bit disappointed to not be able to play here in the Nitto Final. I really wanted to play here. I mean, these kind of things can happen in tennis life.
But, yeah, as you said, at the same time I'm really grateful to lift this amazing trophy. It's an amazing achievement. I mean, all the hard work pays off.
Yeah, for me it's incredible to lift this trophy today.
Q. I want to ask you something about your injury. How is your injury now, the situation? Are you going to play in Australia?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, is going really well. Is going really fast, as well. I'm really focused on recovering as soon as possible. But I could say in a week we improve a lot in the injure. I'm going to say at the beginning of the season, I'm going to be ready, I'm going to be 100%.
Q. We know you're a tennis fan. You watch a lot of tennis. Were you watching the tournament here, what was happening? Did you know what the situation was? You're a big golfer. In golf you're never supposed to root for your opponent to hit a bad shot. Were you rooting against Rafa?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, yeah, of course I was watching the matches, not all of them, but a lot of them. Yeah, I watch it from home. I mean, I always want to watch great matches, great level.
So with these players here, it's 100%. Here in the match, great shots, great rallies. I love to watch these kind of matches.
Of course, having Rafa here, I root for him. I root for Spanish players. But, I mean, I root for tennis, for great tennis.
Q. Can you share your plans between now and the Australian Open? How much will you rest? How long will you prepare and where? When will you go to Australia?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, the first weeks after the injure is really important to don't stop. That's what I did the week and a half that I spend, it was with a lot of exercise.
Right now I have some days off, some holidays, I mean, to disconnect a little bit, to take a rest. But after that I am focused on the pre-season, I'm focused on improve, starting Australian Open as better as I can.
I'm going to say I go to the Grand Slam, to the Australian Open, I'm going to go the first days of January.
Q. Just to be clear about this question, you're planning not to play any tournament from here to the Australian Open? Your next year first tournament is going to be the Australian Open?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, well, at the moment that's the plan. I'm going to say that's the plan.
Of course, I don't know how the injure is going to go. But I could say I go directly to Australian Open.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports