Rolex Paris Masters: “It worried me,” confides Alcaraz, survivor of a dark day for the favorites

Carlos Alcaraz escaped the massacre game. Earlier today, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic bit the dust. “The day was very difficult for the favorites, but I try not to think about it,” assured the world number 3. I'm just looking to get on the court, play my best tennis and have fun. That's what I tried to do today. » Winner in Vienna on Sunday, the Spaniard had to adapt to another setting. And it wasn’t so simple: “This court was much faster than in Vienna, which caused me great difficulty at the beginning. From the start of the day, I knew it would be very complicated, because facing Alex (Michelsen) is always difficult. He plays very flat, very aggressive, with a big serve, and looks to get to the net whenever he can. Regardless of the conditions, he is always a difficult opponent to play against. But I hadn't played on this court yet. It was the first time I set foot there this year, discovered its speed, the balls, all that, and saw how I was going to react. Honestly, it worried me. So I'm really very happy to have managed the whole thing so well. I managed to play very good tennis and remain mentally strong when difficulties presented themselves. This match allowed me to quickly understand how to play on this court, how to move and approach the game. So I can't wait to play again tomorrow. » His opponent Matteo Berrettini, who defeated Ugo Humbert, is warned.