Why Carlos Alcaraz tries to keep a smile on his dial

Carlos Alcaraz has revealed that mastering his emotions is a key part of how he is able to turn the tide in matches.

Alcaraz admitted that he was nervous at the outset of his Wimbledon quarter-final clash with Holger Rune but said that letting out a scream helped him reel things back in.

The Spanish world No 1 believes that it is also important for him to keep on smiling and enjoying himself on court.

“The first set, it was really tough for me. A lot of nerves,” Alcaraz told reporters after beating Rune in straights sets.

“I couldn’t control it at all. I was able to win the first set – the key to turning around a little bit my emotions.

“It helped me a lot, that huge scream after the first set to put out all the nerves and start to enjoy the moment, to enjoy the match. Smiling for me, as I said a few times, is the key of everything.”

Alcaraz is finding it easy to smile as he is in seventh heaven after making his first Wimbledon semi-final.

“It’s a dream for me to be able to play a semifinal here in Wimbledon,” said Alcaraz. “It’s a really amazing feeling right now.”

Alcaraz will be out to avenge his 2021 defeat at Wimbledon to Daniil Medvedev on Friday.

He faces the Russian in the men’s singles semi-final with Novak Djokovic taking on Jannik Sinner in the other.

“He’s playing great here on grass. He’s having a great, great year as well,” said Alcaraz of Medvedev.

“I lost the first match we played here on grass, so I have to learn about it. But I’m going to enjoy the semifinal. I think I’m playing great, [I have] a lot of confidence right now. So it’s going to be a really good match I think.”

Medvedev lost to Alcaraz in their last meeting at Indian Wells earlier this season but the Russian doesn’t expect that result to be a factor.

“I think Indian Wells is not going to count a lot here,” Medvedev said.

“So slow Indian Wells. I mean, it’s not going to be the same. Wimbledon, the ball bounces lower. The serve is more important. There, I felt like I couldn’t get free points with the serve.

“I saw some of his matches. I saw a little bit against Matteo. Did I see anything else? I’m not sure actually.

“For sure going to discuss tactically with my coach. It’s interesting to play someone like Carlos. He is amazing, amazing player. He’s still 19, right? What he continues to do is just unbelievable. He doesn’t stop. I don’t think he will.

“But I played a lot of great players in my career. I managed to win many times. So I’m going to try to do my best. If I show my best, I’ll have my chances.”

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