Alcaraz: “I am leaving the United States happy with my level” | ATP Tour

Miami

Alcaraz: “I am leaving the United States happy with my level”

The Spaniard fell this Thursday in Miami

March 29, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz falls to Grigor Dimitrov on Thursday at the Miami Open presented by Itaú.
By ATPTour.com/es Staff

When it comes to taking stock after a month competing at the ATP Masters 1000 level in the United States, Carlos Alcaraz has little to reproach himself for. Even after having lost this Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open presented by Itaú against Grigor Dimitrov. The 6-2, 6-4 defeat does not blur his last four weeks of the calendar, according to the Murcian.

“The truth is that it has been a very positive month here in the United States, winning Indian Wells and feeling how I felt. And here in Miami I have played good tennis despite today. That is already super positive,” said the Murcian in a press conference after the meeting.

Even though he fell in just an hour and a half, Alcaraz came to this duel by beating Roberto Carballés Baena, Gael Monfils and Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets. His tennis made it seem like he could become the first since Roger Federer in 2017 to win Indian Wells and Miami in the same season. But he has fallen short for the second straight season (he was a semifinalist in 2023).

The main reason? Dimitrov. “It made me feel like I was 13 years old. He was crazy. He was talking to my team telling them that I didn’t know what to do, I didn’t know what his weakness was, that’s why I have frustration now, but in terms of tennis I was happy with my level. I didn’t play perfect tennis, but I played good tennis,” explained the 20-year-old right-hander.

Despite the Bulgarian’s state of grace, Alcaraz gave himself the opportunity to come back, going from 1-4 to 4-4. Once again he lost his serve in the final game. And yet, he assured that this outcome was more to Dimitrov’s credit than his fault. “What I can reproach myself for is that I haven’t scored first,” he said about that game. “But he played very well and defended spectacularly.”

A new opportunity is around the corner for Alcaraz. His next participation will be from April 7 in Monte Carlo, a tournament where he does not defend points as he has not participated in 2023.

“I know that today I had a player in front of me who surpassed me, and I have to give him credit, but in general, I leave with a good feeling about the United States, happy with my level, with the tournaments I have played. Now I really want to go to earth and start the tour in Europe.”