The Spanish Carlos Alcaraz assured this Friday that he got “goosebumps” due to the support received from the public on the Rafa Nadal track quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Conde de Godó Trophy in which he beat the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (6-4, 5-7 and 6-2), first seeded.
“The atmosphere I experienced today has been incredible. On more than one occasion during the match I have had goosebumps with the entire public shouting my name. Being able to live these experiences with the entire grandstand full is incredible“, recognized eleventh world racket
The Murcian tennis player did not hide his emotion at reaching the semifinals of the tournament for the first time: “I am very happy and excited. It is a tournament that I have watched since I was little and I have always had the illusion of playing this type of round“.
Alcaraz, who turns 19 on May 5, spoke of the comparisons with Rafa Nadal: “I’m fine with it. They are always stones that you throw in the backpack, but I have things clear and I continue on my way without haste. The things that are coming do so because I deserve it for my work.”
The fifth seed in the tournament explained the reason why he repeatedly opted for dropshots this Friday: “Tsitsipas plays very well from the baseline and it is harder for him to run forward than to the sides. I have a good dropshot, it is a resource that I use quite. As a player who hits hard I try to push the other back to make the dropshot“.
Alcaraz assured that after losing the second set the round of 16 match did not cross his mind, when he also gave up the second set against the Korean Kwon: “I’ve tried resetting the head. I’ve gone to the bathroom, I’ve tried to forget everything that happened and just focus on the third set.”