"I'm a pretty good actor" - Carlos Alcaraz discloses hiding his 'nerves' behind 'tension-free' facade against Taylor Fritz ahead of Laver Cup decider

Carlos Alcaraz revealed how he was hiding his nerves ahead of his match against Taylor Fritz on the final day of the 2024 Laver Cup, Sunday, September 22. The match was crucial, as it was supposed to decide the winner.

Team World entered the final day with a commanding 8-4 lead, but Team Europe quickly turned the tide. Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud set the tone, securing a decisive 6-2, 7-6(6) doubles victory over Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe.

Shelton followed up with a singles win over Daniil Medvedev in a match marked by the Russian's racket-throwing controversy, taking it 6-7(6), 7-5, 10-7. Shortly after, Alexander Zverev kept Team Europe's hopes alive by defeating Frances Tiafoe 6-7(5), 7-5, 10-5.

In the decisive match, reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz faced off against this year's US Open finalist, Fritz. The Spaniard swiftly led the European side to their fifth Laver Cup title, defeating the American 6-2, 7-5 and securing a 13-11 overall lead over Team World.

Following their victory, Carlos Alcaraz and his teammates attended a press conference, where the former World No. 1 jokingly revealed that he was a "pretty good actor," managing to hide his nerves with a convincing poker face.

"I'm [a] pretty good actor," the Spaniard said. "Very good actor. I mean, I was nervous, I'm not gonna lie. After Sascha's match, he did a really good job. It was time for me to do my job."

"I had to win. After that comeback, I have to win. I had nerves. I was a little bit nervous. I try not to show Taylor that I'm nervous, but I think I played one of my best matches so far. Tried to be as match-calm as I can and hit it as good as I can," he added.

---

Carlos Alcaraz on winning Laver Cup 2024: "It was a pretty good feeling"

Carlos Alcaraz pictured at the 2024 Laver Cup | Image Source: Getty

During the same press conference, Carlos Alcaraz shared his emotions after winning the 2024 Laver Cup, saying he was thrilled to have achieved his goal by contributing to Team Europe's victory.

"I was really, really happy, honestly. I mean, obviously our goal was to win the Laver Cup. We did it," he said.

The Spaniard added:

"As I said before the tournament that I think winning the Laver Cup, it is great. And once I did it, it was a pretty good feeling. I'm not gonna lie. Obviously, celebrating with them is even better feelings. So, well, personally I'm really, really happy."

Alcaraz will next compete at the China Open in Beijing, an ATP 500 tournament starting September 26. Last year, he reached the semifinals but lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.