Alcaraz confesses: "Many players are better than me indoors".

Carlos Alcaraz didn't shine on Monday. Physically weakened, he was soundly beaten by a brilliant and opportunistic Casper Ruud (6-1, 7-5). A defeat that corroborates an observation already made several times: the Spaniard still hasn't mastered the indoor game.

When asked about this, Alcaraz admitted it himself: "I have no experience of indoor courts. I've been able to train a lot in these conditions, but I've never played many matches on indoor courts.

So I don't know what it's like. I need to improve. I can become a very good player on indoor courts, I'm sure. But I think it's a question of time, experience and matches.

I don't think I'm a bad indoor player. But, yes, a lot of players are better than me indoors."