“Is this the most unusual match you have played?
Without hesitation, this is the most unusual match I have ever played in my career. I had never experienced anything like this. For that, I think I will remember this match. I think everyone will remember that.
Can you tell us what happened. A priori, were you stung on the forehead?
I had just won the first point in the third game of the match and was ready to serve. I saw bees around me, but I thought there were just a few, not that many. Then I looked at the sky and there were thousands of them flying, some getting stuck in my hair, coming towards me! It was crazy. One of them touched me. I tried to get away from them, but it was impossible. I had it in my hair, so I ran. I’m a little afraid of them (smile). I had to stay safe and I was running everywhere.
“He’s the best player in the world right now, without a doubt”
By Carlos Alcaraz on Jannik Sinner
Before resuming the match, you told the supervisor that you still saw bees around you, you were not reassured and yet you had a great match. How did you manage to stay focused on the match despite everything?
Indeed, when we came back, there were still a few bees in a corner of the field. We couldn’t resume. In warm-up, I hit a few balls and I had bees around me. I was having trouble staying focused on the ball, I was more focused on the bees and staying away from them. This is why we stopped (the warm-up) several times before resuming the match. But afterward, yes, I tried to forget that. This first game was important to me. I surprised myself by managing to concentrate on the match and no longer on the bees. It was a good start for me. Then, I played very good tennis from the start to the end of the match.
Your opponent in the semi-finals will be Jannik Sinner. Despite both of your young ages, it is already a great rivalry in world tennis. How do you view this match?
Honestly, I don’t know yet what my approach to this match will be. He’s the best player in the world right now, without a doubt. Incredible level, no defeats this year. I heard Tommy Paul’s statements that made me laugh, when he said that he (Sinner) plays “absolutely naked” (an expression to say that he plays at an incredible level). It’s going to be a very difficult match, a big challenge for me. But confronting him will also allow me to see what my level is. This will obviously be the most complicated match for me to play this year. »