Carlos Alcaraz on his US Open title and improving his game

Okay? Well, we're here with Carlos Alcaraz, US Open champion for the second time, the sixth Grand Slam title.

I'm asking you about the US Open, I'm also asking you about Cincinnati. The U.S. swing has been very good.

What do you think has been the key, Carlos, to being so good on this swing? Congratulations.

Thanks. No, I think it has been an American swing that couldn't have been better, honestly.

I think the key has been the good moments I've had off court.

In Cincinnati I had Samu, I had Frank, I had no one else, just those two who couldn't come here to New York.

And in Cincinnati I think the good atmosphere we had off court was incredible.

And here the good energy and the new energy that came, I think those have been the best moments,

which has later allowed me to give my best version on court, which are really the ones I hold on to,

the moments I've lived with my team, with my family and with the friends I've had here.

There's a lot of talk about the progress, about the consistency you're showing in tournaments now,

being a much more solid player, hardly ever losing your serve.

Do you think the improvement is precisely that: being better off the court, understanding better what you have to do at each moment?

Yes, in the end we gradually learn what we need on and off the court.

We're getting to know ourselves as people and as players.

I think that's it — consistency, being more consistent during tournaments, during the season,

It was a clear objective we had to improve, and the same applied in tournaments.

The serve is a weapon that helps me feel calmer when I'm playing, but generally it's all about being well off the court,

having fun, enjoying myself, not feeling like I'm in a tennis tournament.

I think that's what makes it even better.

You say you're not in your prime — what do you need to reach it?

I don't know; we'll see when it arrives.

I think there's more tennis we can show and a better version we can present.

I think it's very early to reach your prime at 22.

I believe the best years are still to come.

You regain the world number one spot. I remember saying a lot last year,

Yannick is the best, he's the best right now. Are you the best this year?

The best tennis player in the world right now?

Well, you could probably say that.

I think that the results I'm getting, regaining the number one spot in the race ranking,

I also think I'm ahead by quite a few points.

I think the year I'm having is practically incredible.

I leave it to people to decide if I'm the best; if not, whether I still have it or not.

I'll leave that debate to the people.

The haircut debate—clear? Shall we hire Alvarito as our hairdresser already?

Those "magic hands"—no, otherwise Víctor would be in trouble.

When I get back I have Víctor ready there to do something special for me,

he already knows; I'm going to surprise people, but I'm sure about it.

Carlos, congratulations and enjoy it.

Thank you very much.