C. NORRIE/C. Alcaraz
4-6, 6-3, 6-4
THE MODERATOR: Cam, great win today. If you can tell us about the emotions out there, the new center court, and the key for tonight to get the victory.
CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, it was a really special victory for me. I had to really keep pushing him and keep playing my game and I was able to take the tennis to kind of the way I like to play it, playing long points. And the intensity was so, so high in the match, right from the beginning. I felt comfortable with that.
But I was able to stay calm in the third set and I thought I was the better player in the third set. So it was nice to capitalize on that breakpoint and stay tough in that 4-3 game and stay calm to serve it out.
THE MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. Well done for today. From the outside it looked like in the second set you were getting more comfortable to absorb the pace from the other side. How did you feel during the second set and how did you turn the match around?
CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, actually, I thought I played a really good first set, there was nothing in it, and he took his chance; I didn't take my chances.
I wanted to just keep pushing. I think his level dropped that one game, and I think that was the difference in that second set. I stayed at that level and he dropped ever so slightly. He missed a couple, one easy volley on the breakpoint in the second set. And I served really, really well in the second set to keep him from having any chances.
So I was really pleased with that. Yeah, such a special win to beat probably the most confident player in the world right now.
Q. Also, you played him at Wimbledon outside on grass. Today is indoors hard court. Were there any other differences between that match at Wimbledon and today?
CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I think I had a little bit of an advantage to play a match yesterday on these courts. You know, he didn't play last week. Coming here, I played really well yesterday and I got to have the momentum for that, and it's his first match here.
Yeah, I think maybe if you asked him, he was maybe a bit surprised of the level I brought today and the intensity that we both brought to the match court. It was a special match.
Obviously he's in Wimbledon quarterfinals, he's super confident, super relaxed, he's played way more quarterfinals than me. So, yeah, it's a completely different scenario and situation for the match. I had to play my best tennis, and I don't think he played his best tennis, if you asked him. But on the day, that's why tennis is so special.
Q. You won three out of your five last matches against Carlos, who's playing probably his best season so far. That makes it a pretty good ratio. What's your secret? How did you do it?
CAMERON NORRIE: There is no secrets. I think to beat him I had to play really well for over two hours, more than that. Yeah, I had to keep pushing him. I had to keep the intensity high. I had to keep playing every game. I didn't want to take one point off. I didn't want to let him breathe at all today.
I had to stay calm, and I had to be not afraid to win. I think that was important. I told myself before the match, even if I get in a winning scenario, I'm not going to be afraid to win.
I stayed true to that, and I was able to stay calm and relaxed.
Q. You mentioned the two breakpoints you had in the first set. Did you realize as early as that that there is a big chance today to win against the No. 1 in the world?
CAMERON NORRIE: I didn't think there was a big chance, but I knew there was a chance. I knew I had been playing well.
I thought I built up some momentum. I took Stockholm off to rest after the China trip. I was quite tired mentally, and I went home, and I just went swimming, went to the beach, I went hiking, and just tried to relax and be home. I felt really good in Vienna. I played so well in Vienna. I was unfortunate not to go deeper there.
I feel everything has been pretty simple. We're just here to play and enjoy tennis with my team, and my team has been super helpful. There's no drama with us. We're just here to enjoy the match and get on with it.
So I knew I had a good chance. For me, my best chance in terms of I was doing all the right things, and I was ready to approach this match mentally to have a chance to win, but I knew I had to play well obviously.
Yeah, it was unfortunate in the first set, I had a couple of chances and I overplayed a little bit in one of them. I can't remember the second one. But he took his chance.
It was a nice first set. I was in the match. I felt comfortable, and I didn't really need to do more or do less. I held the intensity and he dropped ever so slightly, and I was able to capitalize on that.
Q. I wanted to ask about the first match point. It seemed to hit the net twice and then just fall your side of the court. With sort of the escape act, he pulled it off in the Roland Garros final. What were you thinking when you saw the ball land on your side of the court?
CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, actually I thought it was going to go on his side. There were so many balls today that caught the back of the line for me or he missed a couple of balls by nothing. It was one of those days that went almost everything for me. There was a couple forehands I shanked a little bit. Some little bit lucky shots or really good shots that went my way.
I thought that one was good enough. I always hit my backhand pretty low over the net, and I'm used to it hitting the tape a lot. Yeah, it was all right. I played the next point.
I remember when I played him in Rio, and I was 40-30 serving for the match, I remember I hit the T and I said, Okay, I'm going to go T again on the 40-30, and I managed to hit the spot and he missed the return. So it was a nice moment.
Q. Just a quick question about the new venue. What was your feeling to play in the new center court here in Paris La Defense Arena in front of this Parisian crowd? What was your feeling at practice and during the match?
CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I think for the players at least, it feels like a lot more space. All the different areas, the practice courts. I think they've done a really good job. It's a special venue. I think Bercy will be missed with the center court, is I think the best indoor tennis court in the world, unreal for the fans. That was a shame to lose this one.
But I think it just shows how much people in France they love their tennis. The stadium was close to full maybe tonight, and I felt the energy. It was nice to have kind of the energy for me. I had a lot of friends in the crowd too.
But, one, I think it's quite an easy place to get to with the transport, so I think it's good for other people. And us players, like, for me, restaurants, there's not so much choice around here, but it's pretty easy to get into the center of Paris and enjoy Paris. I'm not too worried with this.
But I think they've done a really, really good job. It has a similar vibe with all the interior design, the ATP and everyone, the French Federation has done. It feels similar but I think with a bit more space.
Q. You have an amazing passing shot in the first game, like, on the third or fourth point of the match. Does hitting such a point so early in the match, hyping up the crowd, give you confidence really early in the match? How does that help to go get that win in the end?
CAMERON NORRIE: Yeah, I think, you know, playing that point early on and hitting that shot like that, I was, like, I think it's going to be a good day (smiling).
And I still got to deuce and I still had to grind to hold. I think maybe I hit the best shot of the year for me and I'm still grinding to even hold my serve in the first game.
And, yeah, it's a nice feeling and I was enjoying it right from the beginning. And I think even my physio said today, you enjoyed all of it, and with your friends, with us, so I think he was happy not just with the win, so I was able to enjoy all of that.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports