2023-07-16 23:34:13
Carlos Alcaraz achieved a real feat on Sunday. HANDOUT/REUTERS
Dressed in his famous bob that he wears at every press conference, the always smiling Alcaraz was more than radiant after his historic feat.
At Wimbledon,
Novak Djokovic’s faller in the Wimbledon final on Sunday, the prodigy Carlos Alcaraz surprised himself: “Before this match, I wasn’t sure if I could beat him in five sets in an epic encounter. I also wasn’t sure I would stay very good physically and mentally for five hours against a legend. I will remember it now for other tournaments.»
Forget the semi-final of the last Roland-Garros, lost against the Serb in four sets and his stress cramps contracted at the end of the second round. “I have grown a lot since this semi-finalhe assures. I learned a lot from this game. I did things differently before the final, I prepared mentally a little differently. I managed to manage the pressure and my nerves better than at Roland-Garros. I never fell apart, I never gave up. The match was very long and I think it was my mind that allowed me to hold on».
To beat Novak at his best, to go down in history and to be the guy who dominated him after 10 years of unbeaten on this court, it’s incredible.
Carlos Alcaraz
His arm never trembled in key moments: “To beat Novak at his best, to go down in history and to be the guy who dominated him after 10 years of unbeaten on this court, it’s incredible. Before this match, I didn’t think I would be able to wrestle almost five hours and beat a legend like him. I saw great tennis legends lift this trophy, epic matches and I always wanted to be one of them. But I did not expect to become so soon.».
Read alsoWimbledon: fair play and Djokovic’s tears during the trophy presentation
After a bad start, he was able to find the necessary resources to overthrow the master of the place. “The first set was complicated, but I felt I was playing well. I was close to breaking. In the second, I knew I would have my chances, I had to stay focused. If I hadn’t won the second set tie-break, I probably wouldn’t have lifted the trophy, I probably would have lost in three sets. Winning this second set proved to me that I was capable of beating Novak. But it is not easy to lose the fourth set against Djokovic and to think that you are embarking on a fifth against him. So without a doubt, this is the hardest match I’ve won“, he savors.
The prodigy accomplished his dream, aware of the historic significance of his victory: “It’s something I will never forget. Yes, this is the happiest moment of my life. Maybe that will change in five years (smile).»
#difficult #match #Ive #won #welcomes #Alcaraz