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Carlos Alcaraz responded to Coco Gauff's praise as the Spaniard highlighted it's not always easy to be positive on the court but he is doing his best to keep it light and positive. Gauff, ranked at No 6 in the world, said she finds it impressive how Alcaraz manages to stay positive in pretty much every situation and smile even in defeats.
Following Alcaraz's 6-3 6-1 7-6 (4) win over Lloyd Harrs in the US Open third round, the Spaniard was asked by the interview on Arthur Ashe Stadium to comment on Gauff's compliment. "We try. Sometimes it’s tough to enjoy.
But I try to enjoy myself on court. Having a smile during the match, making jokes with my team during the match as well.. I don’t mind if I win or lose," Alcaraz said.
Gauff praises Alcaraz's positive spirit and attitude
Gauff, who lifted her first WTA 1000 title in Cincinnati two weeks ago, admitted to feeling pressure in the majority of matches when she is considered the favorite to win.
But looking at Alcaraz, Gauff thinks there's something she can learn and probably be more relaxed when she is playing against rivals such as Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka. "Carlos in Cincinnati, he was losing a set every match pretty much and he wasn't playing his best, that was clear.
I don't know. The way that he was still smiling, for me, against Hubi Hurkacz and he was down a set and a break or something like that, I don't know, he was down crazy or down match points. He was still smiling. I was, like, if he can smile, he's No 1 in the world and he has all this pressure, he's supposed to beat Hubi on paper, then I can do it in situations maybe where, most of the time now I'm not the underdog.
But against, for example, like Iga [Swiatek] or [Aryna] Sabalenka, those where I'm considered the underdog on paper, I can smile too. I think I learned the most about their joy in matches and how I can transfer that. Because I have a lot of joy in me but I just seem to bottle it up when I play.
Now I'm really just having fun and laughing and smiling, and I think it's making tennis more enjoyable," Gauff said of Alcaraz.