Alcaraz and the art of the comeback: "I never gave up"

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Today has been one of those matches in which Carlos Alcaraz shows that he is at a level where opponents cannot rely on just playing their best tennis. When great champions, like the player from Murcia, reach an important status, those who want to beat them already know that they will have to bring out 110% of their tennis. Jaume Munar, who probably played one of the best matches of his life, came very close to defeating Carlitos, but even that wasn't enough as Alcaraz ended up turning the match around.

It was an amazing match. From start to finish. Surely, today's Alcaraz-Munar will be among the best matches of this grass-court season. During the press conference, Carlitos admitted that he had doubted his ability to win and emphasized the importance of always thinking positively and never giving up even when everything seems against you.

He seemed frustrated when he was 2-4 down in the third set

Yes. I felt good throughout the match, playing great tennis from the baseline, but my serve was disappointing. 50-52-53% in three sets... something like that. It was frustrating, and I felt disappointed. I got the break, but then he broke me twice in a row. That's when I got most frustrated. I'm not used to that. I usually control my emotions, but today I couldn't. I didn't give up. I kept fighting and stayed in the match the best way I could. I'm happy to have come out with the victory.

About the security issues at tournaments

I have never felt unsafe at a tournament, at the club, or on the court, but it's true that outside of tournaments there have been situations where I didn't feel safe because there are fans who come to push you for a photo or an autograph. If I tell them I can't, they don't understand, and that's when I have felt insecure. I usually don't have security. I've thought about it, but I don't feel comfortable with that. If I had it, I wouldn't feel like a normal person. When I'm at home, I like to feel like a regular person.

Issues with the chair umpire and warnings for time violations

It was a very long match. The conditions were extreme, with the heat and the intensity of the match, the length of the rallies and games. I felt like I didn't have time to recover between points, always in a hurry to go to the next one. I couldn't prepare well for the upcoming point, so I spoke to her because there was an issue with the clock. Jaume also talked to her about the same thing. They need to change that. They need to know when to start the clock because after a very long point, which might end in the net, we should have more time to recover for the next point. That's how I felt today.

Rinderknech, his next opponent

I remember he was my first opponent in 2023 on the grass-court tour. It was extremely tough. He could have beaten me. I remember it was very even. That victory helped me in the following matches. I've always said, the more time you spend on the court, especially on grass, the better, because that way you gain more experience to adapt to this surface. I appreciate a match like today's because it gives me feedback on how to approach the next encounter and what I need to improve. Arthur is a great player. He's been playing really well. His game on grass is tremendously dangerous. I must be very focused on my return, and I must improve my serve, which didn't work for me today.

15 straight victories, the longest streak of his career

I probably feel most confident on the court now. The level at which I've been playing lately is very high. This tournament helps me readapt to the grass surface again. I hope this streak continues. 

Mentality of never giving up

Thinking positively is very important. There were moments today when I didn't, but I never gave up. I think that's the most important thing. Negative thoughts come to mind at times, but it's important not to give up and keep fighting. You have to know that the opponent will give you chances to get back into the match, and that's what I thought today. Keep fighting and tell your opponent that if they want to beat you, they'll have to bring their best tennis. 
 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz y el arte de la remontada: "No me rendí nunca"