Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, has been advised to withdraw from the upcoming Canadian Open to preserve his physical and mental energy following a grueling summer campaign. The recommendation comes from former World No. 2 Alex Corretja, who emphasized the toll of Alcaraz’s relentless schedule on his performance and well-being. With the hard-court season approaching, including major events like the Cincinnati Open and the US Open, the call for rest has sparked discussions about balancing ambition with sustainability in the demanding world of professional tennis.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been nothing short of spectacular, marked by a 24-match win streak that included titles at the Italian Open, French Open, and Queen’s Club. However, his momentum was halted by a crushing defeat to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final, ending a run that showcased his dominance on clay and grass. The five-hour, 29-minute epic against Sinner at Roland Garros earlier this year, where Alcaraz staged a dramatic comeback from 0-40 down in the fourth set to win in a super tiebreak, underscored his resilience but also highlighted the physical and mental demands of his schedule. “All of this is very tiring,” Corretja remarked, urging Alcaraz’s team to prioritize recovery. “I think Carlos Alcaraz needs a bit of rest right now, so that in the second half of the season, when he sometimes loses some steam, he doesn’t really end up feeling so weak.”
The Canadian Open, set to begin on July 27 in Toronto, represents a pivotal moment in Alcaraz’s season. The Masters 1000 event is a key stop on the hard-court swing, but his history there is modest, with a second-round exit in 2022 and a quarter-final loss to Tommy Paul in 2023. Corretja, speaking with affection for the tournament, suggested that skipping it could allow Alcaraz to recharge for the Cincinnati Open and the US Open, where he aims to reclaim the title he won in 2022. “I never interfere in the schedule my great friend Juan Carlos Ferrero decides with Carlos Alcaraz, but I just hope he doesn’t go to Toronto,” Corretja said, emphasizing the need for strategic planning to avoid burnout.
Alcaraz’s summer has been relentless. After his French Open triumph, he transitioned to grass, defending his Queen’s Club title before reaching the Wimbledon final. The rapid surface changes and intense matches have taken a toll, with Alcaraz admitting to mental fatigue earlier this year at the ATP Finals. “I’m tired mentally. Obviously a lot of matches, really tight schedule, really demanding year with not too many days off,” he said, reflecting on a season that included two Grand Slam titles but also early exits in Cincinnati and the US Open. His decision to skip the 2024 Canadian Open due to fatigue after the Paris Olympics, where he reached the singles final, further underscores the recurring challenge of managing his workload.
The advice to withdraw comes at a critical juncture. Alcaraz, currently ranked World No. 2, faces pressure to maintain his position while chasing Jannik Sinner for the top spot. His withdrawal from the 2025 Madrid Open due to a right adductor injury and left hamstring discomfort, sustained during a loss to Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final, highlighted his vulnerability to overexertion. Corretja’s plea reflects a broader concern in tennis about the grueling ATP schedule, with players like Alcaraz, who thrive on competing, often pushing their bodies to the limit. “They should seriously consider what they have to do, and whatever they decide will be fine because they are the team,” Corretja noted, leaving the final decision to Alcaraz’s trusted coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and his support staff.
Fans have expressed mixed sentiments. Some applaud Alcaraz’s team for their cautious approach in the past, citing his withdrawal from Madrid as a mature decision to prioritize Roland Garros, where he successfully defended his title. Others, however, worry about the long-term impact of his demanding schedule, with one fan on social media stating, “He’s burning out too young. His team needs to protect him.” Alcaraz’s history of injuries, including a hamstring issue that forced him out of the 2023 Australian Open and a right arm injury that sidelined him for the 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters, adds weight to these concerns.
As Alcaraz prepares for the hard-court season, his team faces a delicate balancing act. The Spaniard’s ambition to reclaim the World No. 1 ranking and add to his five Grand Slam titles is clear, but his physical and mental health remains paramount. With the Italian Open title in his pocket and a strong clay season behind him, Alcaraz has proven his ability to dominate when healthy. Whether he heeds Corretja’s advice to skip Toronto or pushes forward, his decisions will shape not only his 2025 season but also his legacy as one of tennis’s brightest stars. For now, the tennis world watches, hoping the young champion finds the rest he needs to continue his meteoric rise.
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