Carlos Alcaraz confesses after reaching Monte Carlo quarterfinals: "I’ve realized that’s not what matters.."

The Spaniard defeated Daniel Altmaier in straight sets and will face Arthur Fils for a spot in the semifinals.

The victory left some clear impressions: it was a demanding battle from the very first point, with long rallies and a very high pace. “Especially in the first set, it was a war,” he admits. The level of play, extremely high from both players, required total focus. The key, he explains, was closing out that opening set by playing aggressive and precise tennis:

“That’s when I started hitting the ball really well. That allowed me to start the second set more calmly, more relaxed, feeling like myself—using drop shots, going for my forehand whenever I could.” His opponent’s performance, Daniel Altmaier, didn’t go unnoticed either: “He’s playing at a very high level.”

His progress is clear. Compared to his debut against Cerúndolo, his current performance shows more solidity and clarity in his game plan. “Yes, I feel more comfortable. On clay, you need matches, rhythm, game time. From the first round, I understood I needed to get back to being myself. That’s the only way I truly enjoy playing,” he says. And while he acknowledges that aggressive play isn’t his only tool, he’s aware that connecting with his identity on court is what makes him dangerous. “With every match, I feel better, and the more time I spend on court, the more I’ll grow.”

One of the keys to this improvement has been his shift in mindset. For months, he admits, he got caught up in stats, numbers, and the weight of the rankings. Now, his mentality has changed. “I’ve realized that’s not what matters. What I love is playing, competing, hitting good shots, giving it my all on the court. I’ve decided to forget about everything else and just enjoy tennis.”

Another area he’s been fine-tuning is his serve—a tool that, while not as decisive on clay as on other surfaces, is still essential. “I’m just really happy to be on clay again. It has been a really good season so far. Probably struggling a little bit in the last one, but coming on clay, which is a surface I love playing on and the surface I grew up playing on.. it’s great to feel it again."

His next challenge has a name: Arthur Fils. A new opponent, an emerging talent, and a matchup that promises to be entertaining. "I’m playing a QF here for the first time. It’s gonna be difficult against Arthur Fils, who’s playing great tennis lately. He’s having a great season so far. So it’s gonna be an interesting match. I think it’s the first time I’m gonna play him. I think it’ll be beautiful to play, beautiful to watch. Hopefully the people are gonna enjoy.”