C. ALCARAZ/T. Paul
6-4, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Well done again. It was a difficult opponent. Tommy beat you last year in Canada. What made the difference today, do you think?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think the difference between last match than today I played pretty relaxed this one. I enjoy every single second.
I would say Montreal it was more worry about the result and I was more nervous. So I would say that was the key, to enjoy and playing relax.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.
Q. Next you have another American champion, Taylor Fritz. I know you haven't played him previously. What will be the key to that match? When you play someone you haven't played, do you watch video? How do you prepare for an opponent you never played before?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I watch a lot of matches from Taylor, so I know him a little bit. I think I couldn't practice with him. I have never played against him, so it's going to be really tough, you know, new opponent for me, new, let's say, style of game for me.
But I'm gonna be focused on me, just on me, to play my game, you know, to, as I said, have a lot of time to enjoy, to playing relax, to smile on court. That's the key of everything for me.
So I'm gonna watch some videos, some matches from him, but obviously I'm gonna be focused on myself.
Q. Some players have trouble with the big atmosphere of the stadium within the stadium. You must like it here and have not too many problems adjusting to it. Is it hard to adjust to the shape of the court?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I see the court like a normal court. You know, obviously a tennis court is always the same, you know, the same size. It's always the same.
So the difference, let's say, between other tournaments is, you know, the (indiscernible), the stuff I try not to think about that. I try to just think about the court and the -- yeah, I feel great here, so I can't complain at all about this court. Of course I like playing here.
Q. The other day you said that you treat this tournament as a brand-new tournament, not as a tournament where you're the defending champion. What about the whole aspect of the Sunshine Double? You have already got the first part. I know you're only in the quarters at the moment. But is it something that comes into your mind that you feel that you need to or want to achieve? Is there a bit of added pressure on trying to achieve something like the Sunshine Double, which so few players have achieved?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I try not to think about that but it's difficult. You know, it's something that I really want it. I want to be part of that few players that made the Sunshine Double.
So for me, would be great to achieve that, but as I said, is something that I not think about that, you know, and try to think about day by day, you know, match by match, and that's all I try to think about.
But of course it could be great to be part of that few, few players.
Q. Some players said that this year the surface of here is faster than the last year, which makes the differences between Indian Wells and here, adjusting from Indian Wells to here more difficult. Do you feel the same way?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, is different. You know, in Indian Wells it was slower than here. Is more humidity. So it's tough to adapt.
But every player is different. I would say I adapt my game really well in different places, you know, in different tournaments. I play well in Indian Wells and here.
As I said, every person is different, and I would say for me is not too difficult to adapt my game in Indian Wells and then here.
Q. Novak Djokovic said that when he's 100% he's the best, that's just a fact. He stated it. When I saw you play the final of Indian Wells, when I see you play today, I'm not sure that Novak is right. If I read the social media, I'm not the only one. What do you think about this statement? When you play that good, how do you feel, how does it feel, and how do you rate it?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, is tough one, but, I mean, I have to play against Novak, you know, he 100%, I would say in Madrid he played really, really well. So it was close.
But, I mean, I'm agree with him. When he's 100%, probably he's one of or the best player in the world. So I don't know how to say about that question, but what Novak has achieved, the level of Novak for example in Australia was unbelievable, really high.
So as I said before, I really want to play against Novak when he's 100% and I'm sure I'm going to enjoy. So that's all I can say right now.
Q. Are you feeling completely healthy now? Do you take the court after Indian Wells and here even thinking about your leg at all, or is that completely in the past?
CARLOS ALCARAZ: Is completely in the past. Right now I feel healthy, I feel every way, not thinking about my leg. Right now all I'm thinking is to play at my high level at my 100%, and therefore, forgot the leg completely.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports