Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 3 and third seed at the 2025 Italian Open, added a dash of humor to his Rome campaign by revealing an unexpected priority that left fellow tennis star Alexander Zverev both amused and incredulous. Hours before his third-round match against Serbia’s Laslo Djere on May 11 at the Foro Italico, Alcaraz arrived at the venue a staggering nine hours early, catching Zverev off guard during his own warm-up for a morning session match. “Why are you here so early?” Zverev questioned, only to be met with Alcaraz’s cheeky revelation: he needed to finish his practice early to “watch the football in peace.” The lighthearted exchange, which prompted Zverev to jokingly call Alcaraz “very professional” with a sarcastic thumbs-up, underscored the Spaniard’s love for soccer and his ability to balance intense preparation with a relaxed mindset as he chases a maiden Rome title.
Alcaraz’s early arrival was driven by his eagerness to catch the highly anticipated El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, a fixture that gripped the football world on May 11. “Now [I warm up] and watch the football in peace,” Alcaraz explained, prioritizing the La Liga showdown where Barcelona, leading with 79 points, faced a desperate Real Madrid, trailing by four points with only four matches left. His passion for soccer is no secret—earlier in the week, Alcaraz attended a thrilling Lazio vs. Juventus match at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, where a 96th-minute equalizer by Matias Vecino kept Lazio’s Champions League hopes alive. Lazio’s Spanish defender Patric even shared an Instagram story thanking Alcaraz for his support, highlighting the tennis star’s growing influence beyond the court. This blend of sporting passions has endeared Alcaraz to fans, with his social media post after the Djere win—a striking image of him serving under Rome’s sun, captioned “Feeling the clay, loving the fight! 💪 #ForzaRoma”—amassing thousands of likes.
On the tennis front, Alcaraz delivered a commanding 7-6(2), 6-2 victory over Djere, advancing to the round of 16 for the first time in Rome. Despite a cold and a precautionary knee wrap from a recent leg injury, he overcame a rocky start, where Djere led 3-1 and served for the first set at 5-4. “It was a really tough beginning, honestly, to find a good rhythm,” Alcaraz admitted, but his resilience shone through, dominating the tiebreak and capitalizing on Djere’s arm injury in the second set. “In the second set, I think I was playing better. He made a few mistakes that I tried to make the most of, and I am really happy,” he said. The win, sealed in one hour and 44 minutes, marked Alcaraz’s 26th victory of 2025, the most on the ATP Tour, and bolstered his bid to overtake Zverev for the world No. 2 ranking, with the German defending 1,000 points as the reigning Rome champion.
Alcaraz’s early warm-up wasn’t just about football—it reflected his meticulous preparation for a crucial tournament. After missing the Madrid Open due to injuries sustained in Barcelona, he arrived in Rome “100 per cent ready,” as he told reporters before his opener against Dusan Lajovic, a 6-3, 6-3 rout. His 10-1 clay record this season, including a Monte-Carlo Masters title, positions him as a favorite, especially with no points to defend in Rome. A semi-final run could secure the No. 2 seed for Roland Garros, ensuring he avoids world No. 1 Jannik Sinner until the final. “I had to stay mentally strong and wait for my chances,” Alcaraz said of the Djere match, a mindset that will serve him against Karen Khachanov in the next round, where he holds a 4-0 head-to-head edge.
Zverev, meanwhile, advanced with a straight-sets win over Lithuanian qualifier Vilius Gaubas, setting up a clash with Arthur Fils. His playful jab at Alcaraz’s priorities highlighted their friendly rivalry, which stands at 6-5 in Zverev’s favor, though Alcaraz won their last meeting, the 2024 French Open final. As Rome buzzes with Alcaraz’s on-court dominance and off-court charisma, his football-fueled early arrival has become a viral moment, showcasing a champion who thrives under pressure while keeping his passions front and center.
A man’s gotta have priorities @carlosalcaraz 😮💨⚪️#IBI25 | #ElClasico pic.twitter.com/yKptHw6Cdn
— Internazionali BNL d’Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 11, 2025
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