Carlos Alcaraz reflects on hard-fought win against Arthur Fils: ‘Champions find the right level when needed’

When the going got tough, Carlos Alcaraz showed why he’s a former World No. 1. The Spaniard battled back to claim a grueling 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over France’s Arthur Fils, keeping his composure in critical moments. With this victory, Alcaraz also hit a significant milestone in ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.

Despite dropping the opening set, Alcaraz found himself in dire straits during the second, needing to save seven break points—including three in a critical hold at 5-5, 0-40—to claw his way back into the match.

Following his clutch three-set win, the 21-year-old reflected on the mental fortitude it takes to excel in pressure situations. “I think that real champions find the right level when it’s needed,” Alcaraz said in his post-match press conference. “Obviously I would love to play a high level and my best tennis from the beginning until the last ball, but I think in tennis we play for two hours and a half, so it is the most difficult thing to do, to maintain your best tennis”.

“When it’s needed, it’s great to find the good tennis,” he added. “But sometimes I’m playing against an opponent who is playing better and you have to accept it and run and fight”. The win sets up a semifinal clash with fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Alcaraz on gaining experience beyond his years

At just 21, Alcaraz has already experienced more than most players on the ATP circuit. “I am still super young and I am going to live new experiences and learn about [them], but I feel like I know how to deal with situations that probably other players don’t,” Alcaraz noted.

“It is my second time [playing] here and to be able to play a semi-final for the first time makes me grow up as a player, as a person,” he continued. “Every match is new, it is different, and [I] have to learn from the matches that I’m playing here”.

Alcaraz reaches a new milestone in Masters 1000 tournaments

With his win over Fils, Alcaraz reached 70 career victories in Masters 1000 tournaments before turning 22. The achievement places him third on the all-time list for players under 22, trailing only Rafael Nadal, who leads with 110 wins, and Novak Djokovic, who has 75.