Open the program on the Center Court of Wimbledon on the first Monday of the tournament it’s never easy. Carlos Alcaraz he coloured his debut as reigning champion at the Championships with a victory with a special flavour.
The Spaniard had to deal with a tougher opponent than expected, because the qualifier Mark Lajal he showed off and expressed a high level of play for two sets. Alcaraz had the merit of knowing how to make the right play in delicate moments and still closed without conceding even a partial to his rival.
Carlos Alcaraz: “Surprised by the level of my opponent. I like playing on grass”
“I’m very happy to be back playing on this beautiful court again. It was really special to win today. I was a little surprised by the level of my opponent, I think he played fantastically.
I am convinced that if he continues like this, he will quickly climb the rankings. I am also satisfied with the level that I expressed of course”, said Alcaraz in a press conference. “It is always difficult to start a tournament, the first match is complicated because you have to adapt to the conditions.
He played with nothing to lose, the first rounds are not easy at all. I hope to continue like this. I have a lot of fun when I play on grass and, specifically, at Wimbledon. It is a surface that allows me to express my style of play at its best.
I love playing on grass and I often try to go to the net. Last year I had great results.” The El Palmar phenomenon then revealed his preference between best-of-three and best-of-five set matches. “Five sets. It’s increasingly difficult to beat the great players in best-of-five set matches.
If I have to choose, I prefer to play best of five, because I feel like I have more opportunities to recover during a match. Even if I’m down two sets, I feel like I still have time to come back.”
