Q: Carlos, When did you arrive in Rio and how has your preparation been so far?
A: I arrived yesterday night, could’t have my first practice yet but I’m going to do it later this afternoon. It’s always great to be back here in Rio, I think I’m used to these conditions and I love playing here. I’m really excited to start the tournament.
Q: What can you say about your opponent i the first round, Thiago Monteiro?
A: Well, I've played once against him. It was a long time ago in 2021. I lost against him so I know his game. I watched his matches a lot of times. And I know he’s a top player and obviously I think he has some extra motivation playing here in Brazil, in Rio, in front of his crowd. It’s gonna be a difficult match, a challenging one, I have to be ready to battle and I have to be ready to give my 100%, give my best tennis if I want you to beat him. So hopefully try to put my own style on the match and keep going on the tournament.
Q: You finished last season a little bit tired. I want to know what do you plan to do to get to the end of the year 100%.
A: Well, it's something that I have to improve, obviously. I mean, I talked with Juan Carlos at the end of the of the year before the last one . We talked that I have to change some things coming into into 2024 that the season is not over in September. We have to keep in the same level until November or December until the last one of the season. So this year I know what I have to do. I'm working hard, it's gonna be a really exciting year with the Olympic Games ahead. But yeah, once I'm in the middle or in the end of the season I have to be focused on keeping the same intensity, the same level.
Q: After playing in Buenos Aires what do you think you need to improve here?
A: A lot of things to improve from Buenos Aires. I was hitting the ball really well. I think my game is in good shape. But I have to learn how to play in certain situations, better than I did in Buenos Aires, for example some breakpoints points down, some difficult moments that the nerves are there. I need to deal better with it. I think that's the most important thing that I have to improve if I want you to do a good result here in Rio.
Q: Carlos, with Jannik winning in Australia his first Grand Slam there are lots of comparisons with you. Do you think it’s good to have other young players winning Grand Slams?
A: Yes, of course. I think it's great for tennis having a lot of players being able to win Grand Slams or able to win big tournaments. And I think it's even better if it is Jannik. I am really happy with Jannik, the way he's playing, I think is well deserved. He's a really hard worker and I'm not strange about watching him winning. So I am gonna avoid the comparisons with him but I'll try to see it in a positive way that I have to work 100% every day if I want to catch his level right now because I think he's the best right now.
Q: How was training with João Fonseca at the ATP Finals? Do you think he has potential to be a great player?
A: I think he has a big potential, he plays really well. He hits the ball really hard that's why I warmed up with him last year here in Rio a few times and practiced with him at the ATP Finals. He’s ready to start playing some ATP events, he did well in some challengers. We have to be patient with him, not putting too much pressure for him to do well in ATP because for sure he will do well. His style, his game is pretty good.
Q: How do you prepare for the conditions of the South American tournaments? The heat, the humidity…
A: Well, it's so different playing with the heat and humidity , but I mean I prepare at home very well, you know, had some good practices before coming to South America. The weather in Buenos Aires is probably more similar to home than here in Rio, but I've practiced a lot and I've played some matches with this condition. And right now I think these conditions don't affect me at all. So I think it's going to be very good for me game, pretty good for me so I'm feeling really comfortable with these conditions.
Q: We would like to know about the new generation of French players. We have Arthur Fils for the first time in Brazil and we'd like to know what you think about this potential and maybe if he has potential to win a Grand Slam
A: Well, I don't know if he has potential to win a Grand Slam. Honestly, I'm not really an experienced guy. You know probably the best coaches in the world can tell you that, but I’m not at that position right now. I know he’s beaten some very good players and his level is very high. His physical conditions are amazing as well. He’s a tough opponent, but I don’t know if he’s gonna win a Grand Slam or not. But I think he has a good level right now.
