Interview with French Open champion Alcaraz: Wimbledon, Olympics, chasing GOAT status...

Dressed in a black suit with a retro cut, Carlos Alcaraz arrives in the main press room at Roland Garros, where the new French Open champion is to sit down to talk to the Spanish media. It’s not where the tournament winner usually gets together with the press the day after the final in Paris - but, ahead of this summer’s Olympics in the French capital, beefed up security measures have led to this change of venue.

Fresh from posing with the Coupe des Mousquetaires in the stands on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Alcaraz reflects on Sunday’s win over Alexander Zverev in the men’s singles final - a victory that brought the 21-year-old Spaniard the third Grand Slam of his career, and his first title at Roland Garros.

The stats say you’re the first player under the age of 22 to win the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. Do you think you’re better than Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic when they were 21?

A year ago I watched some videos of them at my age, but it was only highlights. I can’t really make any comparisons. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what I’ve achieved at this age if I don’t kick on from here. I want to keep on growing and get to where Djokovic and Rafa are, and where Federer was until recently. The really top players have kept on improving and improving, and have made it to deep into their 30s in better shape than ever.

Do you see yourself playing deep into your 30s?

Why not?

After such a huge win, how do you bring yourself back down to Earth to re-focus right away ahead of Wimbledon and the Olympics?

You have to enjoy these types of moments. After all the hard work you’ve put in, having dug so deep to win silverware like this, you have to find some time to let your hair down. What I’m learning is that I’m still getting to know myself: what I need, how to go about things, how not to go about things. And I’m starting to realise that you have to balance out all the blood, sweat and tears with those days off when you give yourself the freedom to do what you like, to switch off from the game and just be a young lad again - just a normal guy. That helps you to recharge and come back to the court feeling refreshed and 100% ready to go. After moments like this, after winning tournaments, you have to be able to enjoy it with the people around you.

From Sunday’s final win over Zverev, what are the three moments that will most stay in your memory?

One was before the game, about an hour beforehand, as I was getting ready. We were in the physio’s room and were sharing our thoughts - making a few jokes, too, but you could have cut the tension with a knife. Then, when I went up to my camp’s box in the stands to celebrate, to give all my people a hug. And, finally, later on that evening when we were having dinner and enjoying the win.

What do you think separates you from one day challenging for GOAT status?

I think it’s all about the mental side of things. At the end of the day, it’s not normal to be able to spend 16, 17 years at the top of the rankings, at the top of your game, challenging for major titles year after year, dealing with the pressure, with injuries, with everything. Very few players are able to keep up that level of consistency year after year. So I think if I’m going to be in that conversation some time in the future, it’s mental strength that’s going to get me there.

When it comes to your immediate priorities, what gets your pulse racing faster: retaining your Wimbledon title or winning Olympic gold?

That’s a tough question to answer, but the Olympics are only once every four years and they’re a special event. You’re not only playing for yourself, but also your country - you’re representing all Spaniards. I think I would choose Olympic gold this year.

Do you still find it all a bit surreal, going from your origins in a small town in southern Spain to achieving big things at places like Roland Garros?

Yeah, it’s still such a thrill for us. I’ve seen videos of myself when I was a kid - coming here to Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower and Roland Garros - and now, all these years later, it’s so special to be able to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires. I’m living the dream, being able to win trophies like these - particularly Roland Garros. After all, it’s the tournament I’ve watched since I was a little kid. I was desperate to make this happen.