By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, September 23, 2024
Photo: Matthew Calvis
Tennis’ version of sudden death, Carlos Alcaraz comes 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 sought-after pro circuit can feel like a tennis terminator.
“Maybe, they will kill us in some way,” Alcaraz told the media at the Laver Cup.
Host players have mixed views on the busy schedule, Alcaraz, who has played 12 tournament-level events as well as the Davis Cup and Laver Cup this season, says the schedule is a risk to his health.
“A lot of players feel like, OK, it’s a good calendar. And a lot of players say it’s really tight and a lot of tournaments throughout the year,” Alcaraz said. “I’m the type of player who thinks there are a lot of tournaments during the year, mandatory tournaments, and maybe over the next few years there will be even more tournaments, more mandatory tournaments.
“So, I mean, maybe they’re going to kill us in a way (smiling). Right now they’re showing a lot of injuries because of the ball, because of the calendar, because of a lot of things.”
Because there are so many tournaments, Alcaraz, who has won titles at Indian Wells, Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, said elite players will skip tournaments to ensure their physical and mental health.
“So maybe at some point a lot of good players will miss a lot of tournaments because of this, because they have to think about their bodies, they have to take care of their love,” Alcaraz said. “I mean, they have families, they have a lot of other things in life besides tennis.
“So they have to take care of that as well. So it’s becoming a lot, I guess.”
The man who has won Grand Slam championships on all three major surfaces often travels with his family. Alcaraz said taking time away from tournament tennis is key to stoking his competitive fire and maintaining the joy of playing.
“I’ve said it many times, you know, the calendar is very tight, a lot of shifts, no days off or not as many days off as I want,” Alcaraz said. “Sometimes I really want to take days to myself 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 you don’t want to go on tour , I won’t lie.
“I’ve had that, you know, this feeling a few times already that I don’t want to go to that tournament because I want to stay at home with my family or friends and I have to find the motivation just to go. and set the right tennis or face in practice and in matches.
“I’m a business guy. I always want to win every match I go to, but as I’ve said many, many times, my best tennis comes out when I’m smiling and enjoying myself on the court, and sometimes that’s hard to find rhythm or This good feeling, so I want to be focused on the team and my family and try to play my best in every practice, in every game, to be at the top of the rankings to keep motivated.”
