World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz was delighted after besting USA’s Tommy Paul in the quarterfinal of the ongoing Wimbledon 2024 at the Centre Court on Tuesday. The Spaniard lost the opening set against the American but rallied back to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in three hours and 11 minutes.
Paul was up by a set and a break but the reigning champion was able to bounce back strongly. Alcaraz admitted it was always going to be a difficult match for him as the No.13 has been in solid form on grass after winning the Queen’s championship.
“He has been playing great tennis on grass. He won Queen’s and has been doing great stuff here at Wimbledon, beating great players,” said Alcaraz of Paul in his on-court interview. “Of course today was a really difficult match for me.
“At the beginning, the first set and the beginning of the second set, it kind of felt like I was playing on clay. Big rallies, 10 to 15 shots every point. So I had to stay strong mentally when I lost the first set. It was difficult for me a little bit, but I knew it was a long journey, a long match, and I just had to stay there. I’m really happy to find the solutions and the good path.”
When asked how he bounces back from tough situations, Alcaraz said he has belief in his abilities.
“I believe that I can come back,” said Alcaraz, when asked how he works through difficult moments on court. “If I am struggling a little bit, I try to find the solutions if the opponent is playing great tennis. I believe that at the end I will be able to come back and find solutions, the good rhythm. Today’s match is an example. Even here at the Grand Slams, where the matches are longer, I have more time to come back, so I believe in myself the whole time.”
Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev defeated World No.1 Jannik Sinner in other semifinals in a five-set contest with the Italian not feeling 100% well. Alcaraz feels it is going to be a great match against a great player.
“He’s a really great player. The same semi-final as last year and hopefully I’m going to get the same result,” said Alcaraz, when asked about the Medvedev rematch. “He just beat Jannik Sinner, the best player right now, so I know he is in really good shape. I have to play my best, I have to believe in myself and try to keep going if I want to beat him. It is going to be a difficult one, but I’m going to enjoy it.”
Alcaraz will take on Medvedev on Thursday.
