Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Monday, September 23, 2024
Photo credit: Matthew Calvin
the tennis version of sudden death, Carlos Alcaraz you go to life.
Alcaraz owns a 12-1 record in five-set matches. But lately the 21-year-old Spaniard feels like an endangered species.
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Speaking to the media at the Laver Cup Berlin, Alcaraz said the demanding pro circuit can feel like a tennis truncator.
“Maybe they will kill us one way or another,” Alcaraz told reporters at the Laver Cup.
Young players have different opinions on the busy calendar, Alcaraz, who has played 12 Tour-level matches as well as the Davis Cup and Laver Cup this season, says that this schedule is dangerous for his life.
“A lot of players feel like, okay, it’s a good calendar. And a lot of players say it’s tough and there’s a lot of tournaments throughout the year,” Alcaraz said. “I’m the type of player who thinks there are more tournaments during the year, more mandatory tournaments, and maybe over the next few years there will be more tournaments, more mandatory tournaments.
“So, I mean, maybe they’re going to kill us somehow (smiling). Right now they’re showing a lot of injuries because of football, because of the calendar, because there’s a lot of things.”
Because there are many tournaments, Alcaraz, who has won titles in Indian Wells, Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, said that top players will skip tournaments to ensure their physical and mental health.
“So maybe at some point many good players will miss a lot of competitions because of that, because they have to think about their bodies, take care of their love,” said Alcaraz. “I mean, they have a family, they have many other things in life than tennis.
“So they have to pay attention to that as well. So it’s going too far, I think.”
A man who has won Grand Slam tournaments in all three majors often travels with his family. Alcaraz said taking time away from tournament tennis is key to fueling his competitive fire and maintaining the joy of playing.
“I say often, you know, the calendar is tight, many competitions, no days off or not as many days off as I want,” said Alcaraz. “Sometimes I want to take days off that I can’t because I have to practice, I have to travel, I have to, you know, jet lag sometimes when you’re traveling around the world. So sometimes I don’t want to go to competitions either, I’m not going to lie.
“I’ve been hearing this, you know, this feeling over and over that I don’t want to go to that tournament because I want to stay at home with my family or my friends, and I have to find the motivation to go. and put on the right tennis or the right face in practice and matches.
“I’m a business guy. I always want to win every match I play, but as I’ve said many, many times, my best tennis comes when I’m smiling and having fun on the court, and sometimes it’s hard to find that rhythm or that good feeling to stay motivated.”
