Carlos Alcaraz: hats off to Fabio Fognini

Compliments to his latest opponent, and very clear words about the most fearsome of all.

Carlos Alcaraz tips his hat to Fabio Fognini, who forced him into a 2-hour, 47-minute battle in the round of 16 of the ATP 500 tournament in Rio de Janeiro. However, the three-set victory with a score of 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 will allow him to advance in the tournament, putting world No. 1 Novak Djokovic back in his sights. And the Iberian star destined words of high praise for both colleagues.

“My match was full of ups and downs,” Alcaraz told a press conference about his challenge with Fognini. “I started well, but I took a lot of risks. So much so that I was dragged to the tie-break, and there Fabio played very well. I knew right away that it was going to be a very long challenge, but I managed to gradually raise the level and thus beat him. I was also fresher than him in the final, and that helped me.”

Alcaraz then turned to Djokovic, who is back at No. 1 in the ATP rankings after his triumph at the Australian Open. “Right now the best in the world is him. But, together with Federer and Nadal, he is also one of the strongest in the history of tennis,” said the Iberian. “If I want to stay close to him in the ranking, I have to think tournament by tournament. However, to be behind him already in itself represents a privilege.”