Carlos Alcaraz to CNN: ‘I’m playing unbelievable tennis’
(CNN) — During a five-hour interview Wednesday morning, Carlos Alcaraz had everything going for him: He’d won a major, the ATP World Tour Finals and $1 million in prize money.
He’d also lost his job and his home in the past few weeks as a result of the tennis scandal that forced his retirement.
That’s not to mention the fact that he was at the heart of a dramatic and embarrassing news event of the weekend.
He was one of the world No. 1’s under the most stressful of circumstances at the year’s top men’s tournament, but he handled it well as he sat down with CNN’s Chris Connelly.
Here’s the full transcript of the conversation.
Let’s start with some words from your wife, Angela. How do you feel about your career?
Angela Alcaraz: Well, it’s been a great career. It’s been a wonderful journey. I feel so much better about it all. It’s been awesome and it’s just been a lot happening. It’s been a lot of ups and downs.
C.A.: You’re playing unbelievable tennis. You are playing a lot of points at the very top level and you’re still in contention. The last few weeks you haven’t lost a match in the semis. Is it really difficult coming from behind in the semis to win the final?
A.A.: I think it’s always difficult at this time of the year to win. Every time you want it. Every time you say we’re going to win this. Every time you say we’re going to do this. But it’s a very tough thing to do. I think it’s a very tough match right now. I’m just not playing my best tennis and to be in this position. Of course, it’s hard. Obviously, you can’t just lose any points that you have, because it’s going to change the rhythm of your match. So, of course, I’m very happy that I will stay in the tournament to go for the title. It’s going to be tough.
