Alcaraz: "Don’t forget where you came from and who you started with"

“Don’t forget where you came from and who started”he said Tuesday Carlos Alcarazthe young Murcian tennis player who amazes the world with his achievements and his game, and will be recognized with the region’s Gold Medal.

The athlete from El Palmar, 19 years old on May 5, sixth player in the world, found out the news of the difference at a reception at the Palacio de San Esteban, seat of the Murcian government, where he was received by its president, and Fernando. Lopez Miras.

Alcaraz is the youngest recipient of this medal, at a gala held annually on June 9, Region Day.

The young tennis player, who attended this institutional action accompanied by his father and his representative, Albert Molinasaid he was “proud to be Spanish and, above all, Murcian” and said that “He will always take Murcia and El Palmar” wherever he goes to play a tennis match “.

“You should never forget where you came from and who started,” he also pointed out, while being grateful to his team and the Murcians who support him.

In that sense, he commented that when he was on track, examples of encouragement could be heard: “When, between point and point, I heard in Caja Mágica the shout of ‘Long live Murcia!’ I’m getting goosebumps. “

Regarding the awarding of the Gold Medal, he declared “very proud to receive it” and it is “an honor” for him.

“This is one of the most special shows that can be held in San Esteban and even if you prefer to be called Carlitos or Charly, we should call you as Don Carlos or Mr. Alcaraz Garfia for what you did“, he says Lopez Miras the athlete of the moment in the world, who this season has 28 wins in 31 games and has already won 1,000 Masters in Madrid and Miami and the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona.

He congratulated him on his achievements and further commented that “Alcaraz puts El Palmar next to Manacor, Basel or Belgrade”, referring to the places of origin of three great tennis players: Rafa Nadal, the Swiss Roger Federer and the Serbian Novak Djokovic.

After the institutional act, the recent champion of the Mutua Madrid Open participated in a meeting with young tennis players from the region.

Carlos Alcaraz added that he earned “respect of the circuit”, that he did it “based on results against great players” and added that he would go to Roland Garros “100% and ready to win”.

The player from El Palmar made these statements at an Autonomous Community reception at the Palacio de San Esteban, and where he was informed that he would receive the Gold Medal of the Region, the highest recognition awarded by the Murcian Government.

Alcaraz, in response to questions from journalists gathered at the event, admitted that he was somewhat surprised at the impact of his achievements at the beginning of the year.

“I thought there was going to be a lot of excitement, but not that much. I’m a simple person and I’m glad to see so many people enjoying themselves and it’s something that hurts me,” said the athlete, who made it. . clearly his team at work, with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero at the helm, and his family are “keeping his feet on the ground”.

On Monday, arriving from Madrid, the tennis player of the moment was praised by half a thousand people who waited for him to arrive at his home, where he lived with his parents in the Murcian district of El Palmar until he moved a few years. that ago. at the Equelite JC Ferero Sport Academy in the Alicante town of Villena, where he trains daily.

“It’s very emotional to see my neighbors, who I’ve known since I was little, who inspire me like they did,” said Carlitos, whom he wanted to call, and went out on the balcony carrying the trophy won in Madrid to thank the acts of support of those who gave him particular recognition.

Alcaraz also mentioned the phrase he left on camera at the end of the final that he won 6-3, 6-1 against German Alexander Zverev at the Manolo Santana court, the central Caja Mágica: “That ¡Viva El Palmar and long Mabuhay ang Murcia! Came out to me at that moment and I believe that a person should never forget where he came from and where he came from “.

The act of support for the player from Palma in the Spanish capital was steady and he also received praise from other opposing players but also included in the team.

“I am proud of the words that my rivals are dedicating to me. Right now I am the novelty and I feel that I am earning respect on the circuit based on results and for achieving them against great players,” he said.

This week he did not compete in the Masters 1,000 in Rome, as originally planned, and chose to rest and recover from the strain on his right ankle that he suffered in the quarterfinals in Madrid against Nadal.

“When I’m on the court I try to pretend to my rival that I’m not bad and that’s what I did after I sprained my ankle against Rafa. In any case, we understood that we shouldn’t go to Rome and I ‘ll go to Roland Garros 100% and ready to fight to win “, he said while keeping in mind the Grand Slam to be held from May 16 to June 5.

Regarding the ongoing comparison to Nadal, he pointed out that he carries “well” and that “if anything, it’s because I’ll do things right, but I don’t think much of it and he also has 21. Grand titles. of the slam. “

Alcaraz is currently sixth in the ATP and his potential encourages us to think he will continue to climb the positions.

“I see myself as strong and one of my goals is to be number 1 in the world, but for that you have to be very consistent and win a lot of big tournaments”, commented Murcian, with a wish that he publicized: “I want to play against any opponent, although after doing it against Nadal and against Novak Djokovic I want to face Roger Federer and thus complete duels against the Big Three”.

When asked about the factors that made his development possible, he clearly said that “it depends on the job and especially on the physical issue, which is very important because there are real animals on the circuit in that sense and you have to be very prepared there and also mentally to fight them.

In addition, he considers decisive the success he achieved in July last year in Croatia, the first he achieved as a professional.

“Success at ATP 250 in the Morning was very important because it opened my mind and made me set new goals. Winning always opens doors,” he said.

For Alcaraz, winning the Davis Cup will be the “biggest thing” and he hopes to “help make it happen” by making his “grain of sand”.

That trophy will be collective, but he already has several individuals, who remain in his room in the family home, where a partition will have to be moved to continue housing trophies at this rate.

“The first thing is to win titles and hopefully there’s too little room to put everything in. If I’m considering opening up space for that, the answer so far is no, but it would be a good sign if that’s the case. case, ”disclosed Alcaraz, who has already had the opportunity to compete in many parts of the world and has preferences.

“Of all the countries where I’ve played where I’ve noticed the most love for me outside of Spain, it’s in the United States because it’s amazing what I’ve experienced on an environmental level in Miami and in US Open, “he declared.

At the press conference he offered, he also said he could not do what he wanted because of the demands of his profession, a possible future academy with a name and even in food.

“I miss doing what any normal 19-year-old boy does, hanging out with friends and partying,” said one person accustomed to “asking for photos and autographs.”

“I’m just starting my professional career and I’m hoping it will last for many years, so it’s too early to think about building a tennis academy and it’s something I’m not considering, though not. I put it aside for a while, “he said respectfully. in this possible project.

And as for gastronomy, he appreciates having the “luck of living in a place where he eats deliciously”.

“My favorite dish is sushi, which is also very convenient for feeding an athlete, as well as bananas, which I drink to prevent cramps in games,” he added.

Carlos, after the meeting with the president of the Community, Fernando López Miras, was with a group of young tennis players from the Region and he had a message for them: “I try to send values ​​to the beginners here and I tell them that after successes it takes a lot of effort and sacrifice and that they pursue their dreams.The first thing is to study and they can also enjoy tennis and I pass on the love for in this sport “.