Wimbledon Victory and Future Aspirations: An Interview with Carlos Alcaraz

It is impossible to capture the gaze of Carlos Alcaraz (El Palmar, 2003). His eyes do not stop going to a golden object that dominates the entire room. It is the Wimbledon champion’s cup, the biggest title and won against the biggest.

Alcaraz receives EFE at his home, one of the many that is rented on these dates near the All England Club. At the entrance is still the outfit from the party the day before, a bouquet of flowers from a sponsor, a racket bag, and a letter from a young neighbor: “I hope I can see you some of these days in the neighborhood, but I’m sure you’re busy earning to Djokovic and winning the tournament”, says the boy in the letter.

Wimbledon title is ‘a dream come true’ for Carlos Alcaraz

The Murcian is still assimilating what has happened in the last hours. His victory against Djokovic, the Wimbledon title, the emotions of his family… But for a few minutes he debates with EFE about what awaits him in the future, what will make him happy and his place in this crazy sport that is tennis.

What difference has it felt from winning the US Open to winning Wimbledon?

It’s a little more special to win Wimbledon and the way I’ve done it, beating Djokovic, who was unbeaten for ten years on this center court, in the Cathedral of tennis. Being part of the history of this tournament makes it that little bit more special.

Do you feel that a new era began in this sport yesterday?

I don’t feel like that, really. I believe that as long as Rafa and Djokovic are fighting on the circuit, fighting for great things, as long as they keep playing, there will not be a generational change, there will not be a new era. We will talk about that debate in a few years; Now it’s not the moment.

During these weeks a question has arisen to me, seeing him evolve on grass, which is, what will Carlos Alcaraz be like in ten years? He believes that these successes, his time on tour, learning from him, is it going to change him?

On a personal level I don’t think it will change. As the years go by, one matures, grows, realizes things, what is important, and improves in that aspect, but what it is about personality, about being the person I am, I don’t think it will change. . I think I’m a very close, very nice, very happy guy and I think that’s not going to change.

A lifelong dream! 🏆💚 You always have to believe! I’m only 20 years old, everything is happening too fast, but I’m very proud of how we work every day. Thank you everyone for your support, from the bottom of my heart! 🙌🏻😍 @Wimbledon

📸 Getty pic.twitter.com/MsdjFqBhiO

– Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) July 16, 2023

In the speech at the champions’ dinner, he said “Now I’m going to Murcia and I’m a normal person again.” Is it possible, being Carlos Alcaraz, to be a normal person?

Yes of course. I am a very simple person, I simply seek to be calm at home, with my family, go with my friends, even go to the park. In the end, the company is enough, no matter the place, the site. If the company is the right one, being calm with your usual friends, laughing, making jokes, making jokes about everything… That’s enough to make you feel like a normal 20-year-old person again.

He also said that it was the happiest moment of his life, but that he had to wait and see what happened in the coming years. What can happen in the next five or ten years that she is happier than this?

That he look at the list of winners and take five Wimbledons, that he take four US Opens, three Roland Garros, four Australian Opens… I think I couldn’t be happier than that. That in five years he has more Grand Slams in his showcase, more titles, more weeks as number one and that he continues to experience moments like this.

Do you know better to have more titles than the first?

The first one always tastes special, because in the end it’s like I’ve already achieved it, now we want more and have this feeling more often. Having more in the showcase is always good.

Djokovic says that you are a mixture of the three tennis players who have dominated the circuit in recent years, but what is missing from your game? What can you improve?

I need to polish many things. Like Djokovic when he started his career and he had already won four or five Grand Slams, just like Rafa or Federer. They had a style and they have been improving it. You are never perfect, you never reach your 100%, new things always come up that you have to improve, adapting to the circumstances of the moment. I consider that everything I do, what I can do better.

Are you going to change the photo with Federer that you have in your room for one of the ones from yesterday?

Not changing it, but putting it next to it can be. Trading that photo with Roger… It’s a super special memory that I’m going to have for a very long time, if not for the rest of my life.

What went through your head in that last right that Djokovic goes to the net?

It was honestly a moment of shock, that my mind went blank, he just acted. It came out to throw me on the ground, make the croquette. What my head thought is wanting to hug my team. Go for my team and celebrate with my people.

How necessary is it that for you to grow, develop and earn much more, there is a great rival, a nemesis? A Nadal for Federer, a Djokovic for Nadal.

Very important. Having someone there, with whom you fight, with whom you have that battle, that beautiful rivalry, is important to maintain motivation for so long. Right now I think I have it and I’m not afraid to say it: for me it’s Sinner at the moment. That beautiful rivalry that we have, those big games that we have played, on big stages. As the years go by there will be better ones and we will fight for the big titles. (D)

2023-07-18 22:49:24
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