Carlos Alcaraz shrugs off ‘tiredness’ excuse, says he was outplayed
World No 2 Carlos Alcaraz has put down his defeat to Fabian Marozsan in Rome down to his opponent making him uncomfortable.
Alcaraz said that he was not feeling at all tired despite a busy few weeks on the clay swing for the soon-to-be No 1.
Marozsan did make an impressive start and had Alcaraz off his game for the first set before surviving the Madrid Open champions’ second set fightback.
“I was perfect physically. I just didn’t feel comfortable,” Alcaraz said afterwards during his press conference.
“He made me feel uncomfortable on the court. He was aggressive and was playing inside the baseline all the time.’
“It was tough for me to get into the match, into the rally. I made a lot of mistakes that I usually don’t make too much.’
“These days can happen in tennis, and you have to handle it. In the second set I was close, I had my chances, but I didn’t take the chances. He was at the same level all the time. He deserves the win.”
It is the first time Alcaraz has fallen to a player ranked below the top 100 since the 2021 Paris Masters, when he was defeated in the third round by Hugo Gaston.
Marozsan showed some potential in winning a Challenger championship in Turkey earlier this season. However, he has battled for consistency in his game, having lost four of his previous five matches prior to Rome, when he advanced through qualification to reach the main draw.
“Everything was perfect today,” said Marozsan. “The crowd, the weather, the court. I’m just happy I’m doing my job.
“I think in the tie-break it was 1/4 and I won six points in a row. It’s amazing, I don’t know what happened during the points, I just tried to hit back every ball and tried to do my best. I tried to find out how to win points against him in that tough situation, and it just happened. I don’t know what to say.”
“I tried to fight until the last ball, but it wasn’t enough,” reflected Alcaraz in his post-match press conference. “Of course, in the second set, it was close. I had my chances at 6-5, 15/30. I would say I could win that set, except little things happened. Of course, he deserves the win. If he plays at that level, he’s going to surprise more than one.”
Alcaraz tipped Marozsan to crack the top 100 sooner rather than later.
“He surprised me a lot. His level was really, really high and I’m sure he’s going to break the top 100 very, very soon,” Alcaraz said.
“If he plays at that level, he’s going to surprise more than one (top players).”
Alcaraz hopes to use his time off from match action to fine tune his game for the French Open, where he will be the top seed.
“If I want to go to Paris in a good shape, I have to practice, to be better. I couldn’t practice more than three, four days in a row. I’ve been playing so much,” Alcaraz said.
“It’s going to be really helpful for me to have days at home practicing and getting ready for Roland Garros.”
WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz stunned by world number 135 Fabian Marozsan in Rome
Latest
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz identifies key Grigor Dimitrov threat as he seeks revenge in Miami showdown
Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov have looked ahead to their Miami Open match.
-
WTA Tour
Charleston Open hand former No 1 wildcard to start her clay season
Wildcards were forthcoming for former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, world No 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Charleston-native Shelby Rogers.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 weighs in on Iga Swiatek’s ‘aura’ as he makes ‘intimidating’ claim
“The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her.”
-
WTA Tour
Naomi Osaka’s clay swing fills out with Rouen wildcard
Naomi Osaka gets Rouen wildcard to kickstart her clay swing.
-
WTA Tour
Danielle Collins balks at being asked to explain retirement
Danielle Collins has responded to those who question why she has decided to retire from tennis at the end of the current season.
-
Tennis News
‘Novak Djokovic’s problem is psychological’, assesses Roger Federer’s former coach
“Undoubtedly, ‘Nole’ must have fire inside, otherwise he is missing something.”
-
Tennis News
Daniil Medvedev discusses his popularity compared to Carlos Alcaraz as he offers a theory
“For me, the result is the most important, it’s more important than, let’s say, looking good on the court.”
-
Tennis News
Andy Roddick gives honest verdict on Novak Djokovic’s shock coaching split
“I was surprised. You don’t look to make moves in March or April. This has had to be a surprise to both of them.”
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner makes revealing comment on his eyesight after Miami Open win
Jannik Sinner opened up on his use of contact lenses on court.
-
Tennis News
Martina Navratilova serves up a desperate verdict on Andy Murray’s comeback hopes
Andy Murray is likely to have to wait several days to learn how long he will be sidelined for by the ankle injury he suffered in Miami.