CARLOS ALCARAZ CANDIDLY ADMITS HOW GRIGOR DIMITROV MADE HIM FEEL IN MIAMI MASTERCLASS
Carlos Alcaraz admitted Grigor Dimitrov made him feel like he was “13 years old” during his defeat to the Bulgarian in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Miami Open.
The Spaniard declared he did not know how to respond to Dimitrov’s display and he could not find a weakness in his opponent’s game, while expressing he was “happy” with his own level.
Dimitrov produced one of the finest performances of his career to stun the world No 2 and top seed 6-2, 6-4 in the last eight in Miami on Thursday.
The world No 12 delivered a masterclass in all areas of the game and his flawless tennis could have led to an even more one-sided scoreline — given he had a break point to lead 5-1 in the second set.
Alcaraz was looking to win the Miami Open for the second time to complete a maiden Sunshine Double, having secured the Indian Wells title earlier this month. The 20-year-old was on a nine-match winning streak prior to this defeat and had lost only two sets during that run.
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Having lost his first three matches against Alcaraz in straight sets, Dimitrov has now won the last two encounters, having first overcome the Spaniard in three sets at the 2023 Shanghai Masters.
The 32-year-old has continued the impressive form he displayed for much of the second half of 2023 into this year and is playing his best tennis since 2017. Dimitrov ended 2017 at a career-high ranking of world No 3, having won the Cincinnati Masters and the ATP Finals.
In his press conference after falling to Dimitrov in Miami, Alcaraz confessed he had no answer to the Bulgarian’s level
“Well, I think he played perfect tennis, almost perfect, if I can say perfect. I mean, I couldn’t find solutions, couldn’t find the way to make him uncomfortable on the court. But, you know, it was a great game from his side,” the two-time Grand Slam champion said.
“Well, I think I played good tennis. I mean, I left the court thinking that probably I had to change my game a little bit earlier, but anyway, I feel like I played a good tennis. Not perfect but a good one.
“I feel, I have a lot of frustrations right now, because he made me feel like I’m 13 years old. You know, it was crazy. I was talking to my team saying that I don’t know what I have to do. I don’t know, you know, his weakness. I don’t know anything.
“That’s why I have frustration right now, but, you know, in the fight of tennis, I left the court happy with my level.”
Alcaraz’s quote sparked a hilarious reaction from Dimitrov when it was put to him by a reporter during his press conference.
“(Laughs) That’s a great comment,” the nine-time ATP titlist said.
Dimitrov will face world No 5 Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals in Miami on Friday. He holds a 1-7 record against the 26-year-old German.
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