Carlos Alcaraz encountered some hiccups earlier in the match versus Estonia’s Mark Lajal at Wimbledon, but the easy win in the third set secured him a spot in the second round. After the match, he was asked whether the three sets suit him more than the five sets. 

Alcaraz faced some challenges from the Estonian in the first two sets as he scored 7-6(7-3), 7–5 to take the lead. But he dominated in the third set, not giving many chances to Lajal and restricting him to just two games. When he asked about what he prefers between five and three sets, the Spaniard picked the former and explained that a long match gives him time to make a comeback. 

5 sets. I think it’s more difficult to defeat the big players in 5 sets. I see myself as a perfect player in the 5th set. If I have to choose, I’d prefer playing five sets rather than three. Because I feel like I have more time to come back. If I’m two sets down or two sets to one down, I feel like I have more time to come back. Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference

Alcaraz is the defending champion at Wimbledon as he won his first title at SW19 last year by beating seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in five sets. The 21-year-old Spaniard is also looking for his second major title of the year after lifting the Roland Garros last month.

Carlos Alcaraz talks about his desire to reach home after the end of a tournament

Carlos Alcaraz talked about the atmosphere at home where he is not treated like a big tennis star. The 21-year-old said he lives with his family, and when he ends a tournament he goes home to live with them. 

When I finish a tournament, it doesn’t matter if I win or not, I just want to get home to be with my family. I live with my mum and dad, my older brother, and two younger brothers. To them, I am not a big tennis star, just a normal guy. Carlos Alcaraz said during an interview with the Sunday Times

However, former doubles player Paul McNamee ended up slamming the publication after it called Alcaraz ‘the savior’ of tennis. McNamee argued that it’s disrespectful to Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, who are seeded first and second at Wimbledon. 

Alcaraz would have entered Wimbledon as second seed but as he failed to defend points in the Queen’s Club Championships, he lost his second spot in the rankings to Djokovic, who last month lost his top ranking to Sinner by not winning the Roland Garros.