Carlos Alcaraz exclusive: 'It was a dream' – Spaniard inspired after surprise 'masterclass' from Roger Federer
Published 28/10/2024 at 23:14 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz is hoping for another successful run in the French capital as he begins his Paris Masters campaign, having already won the French Open and picked up an Olympic silver medal in the French capital. Alcaraz has yet to break past the quarter-finals stage at the Paris Masters, but perhaps a recent "masterclass" from Roger Federer will inspire him to even greater heights.
'Fresh, excited' Alcaraz believes ‘this year is going to be different’ as he targets Paris success
Video credit: TNT Sports
Carlos Alcaraz admitted it was a "dream" to hit with tennis great Roger Federer earlier this month.
The Spaniard enjoyed a light workout with the 20-time major champion in Shanghai and, speaking to Eurosport ahead of the Paris Masters, was gushing in his praise for the Swiss legend.
"It was an unbelievable experience for me," Alcaraz said with a wide smile. "Having the chance to play with him, it was great. I just enjoyed so much, every shot, watching him playing the shots so easily. It was a dream. It was a great experience.
"I had the chance to talk a lot with him, ask him some questions about when he was playing. It was a masterclass honestly from him."
Alcaraz is now looking forward to playing in front of Parisian crowds once again, having had an incredible year winning the French Open and an Olympic silver medal.
The Spaniard begins his Paris Masters campaign on Tuesday having never passed the quarter-final stage of the competition.
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‘What am I doing here?’ – Greats meet as Federer trains with Alcaraz
Video credit: TNT Sports
But with a successful year of playing in the French capital under his belt, and a hit with Federer under his belt, Alcaraz is feeling "extra motivation" this time.
"It is great to be back here in Paris," Alcaraz said. "I thought honestly a lot about my time in Roland-Garros, my time in the Olympic Games.
"I'm just happy to show my level once again in front of the Parisian crowd, hopefully they're gonna enjoy the game. It is great and it is an extra motivation coming to this tournament."
When asked which Parisian memory is the one he thinks of most from 2024, the 21-year-old said his first Roland-Garros triumph trumped his Olympic final with Novak Djokovic.
"Roland-Garros, biting the trophy and holding the trophy with all my people. Obviously the Olympic Games was an unbelievable achievement for me getting the silver medal, but I lost the final. So I remember Roland-Garros the most."
Alcaraz's best performance at the Paris Masters came two years ago in the 2022 edition as he reached the quarter-finals.
That was followed by a poor 2023 performance when he fell to Roman Safiullin in the second round.
Alcaraz feels his game is well suited to the Bercy Arena, but says he will need to get used to the court.
"Well I don't have too much experience playing on the court, my game suits pretty well here because of how aggressive I play," he said. "I never practiced here before, I didn't play too much tournaments here before, so I have to get used to it.
"The calendar is so demanding as well, so coming to the last tournament of the year, probably I've been really tired.
"Hopefully it's not gonna happen again. I am fresh, excited, I have a lot of confidence. I think it's gonna be different.
"I understand a little bit about how to play in these last tournaments, so I think I'll do a bit better."
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