Carlos Alcaraz is one step away from achieving at 18 what he already dreamed of at 12 when he first visited Roland Garros as a fan. “Someday I’ll be here”, said the Murcian who thought at that time, in statements to the official website of Roland Garros. This Friday (around 12:00, Eurosport)Alcaraz will seek to fulfill that dream if he manages to win in the last match of the qualifying phase against Chilean Alejandro Tabilo (23 years old and 116th in the world).
It would be one more achievement in the brilliant career of Carlos Alcaraz, than in this 2021 He has already made his debut in the final draw of a Grand Slam at the Australian Open, has reached the semi-finals of an ATP tournament for the first time or in which he recently He has won the Oleiras Challenger, which has allowed him to enter the Top-100 for the first time in his career.
Speaking to the official website of Roland Garros Alcaraz, pressure is removed before the decisive match against Tabilo. “I don’t think about what they say about me. I only think about playing for myself, my team and my family. My team knows my level, what I am capable of and how far I can go. I try not to get too distracted. reading what the social networks say, I only think about playing “.
Alcaraz was also very excited after reaching the Top-100. “It is something incredible and one of the best moments of my career. It means that I have worked hard and that I am doing things well. Every day I try to improve, and it is a good gift to be in the Top-100It is very special to be among the best in the world. “
In this 2021 Alcaraz has also had the opportunity to play for the first time in his career against Rafa Nadal, the rival to beat at Roland Garros. “I have learned a lot from Rafa. When I see him play I try to find something new and write him down to try to improve. Playing against him was an incredible experience, the perfect opportunity to learn from the best, the best way to play the points against the great tennis players and how to control your nerves in difficult moments. Everything”.
Much of the ‘blame’ for Carlos Alcaraz’s good performance lies with his coach, an old acquaintance from Roland Garros: Juan Carlos Ferrero, who won the Parisian Grand Slam in 2003, and who hopes to continue learning things. “I’ve seen videos of him at Roland Garros and other tournaments. Not whole games but the best moments. I talk to him a lot about the start of his career, what I’m doing and how early I’m playing at Roland Garros. He did it very well here, especially in the early years and I can learn a lot from that. “
Finally Alcaraz expressed how he faces the decisive match against Tabilo. “A good mentality is the best weapon, the most important thing you can learn. On the court it is important not to show your opponent that you are weak or not in a good moment. It is important to remain calm and focused all the time. “Word from Carlos Alcaraz, who this Friday will try to make the dream he had at 12 years of playing in the final draw at Roland Garros come true.
