Carlos Alcaraz has been told what he must change after his early US Open exit.
Carlos Alcaraz has been told to look to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who have never faced the same “emotional” problems as him.
The 21-year-old was stunned in the second round of the US Open after winning back-to-back Grand Slam titles at the French Open and Wimbledon.
And renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou believes Alcaraz’s extra passion could be costing him.
The 21-year-old was stunned in the second round of the US Open after winning back-to-back Grand Slam titles at the French Open and Wimbledon.
And renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou believes Alcaraz’s extra passion could be costing him.
Alcaraz’s emotions have cost him in the past – he has cramped in some of the biggest matches of his career, most notably his 2023 French Open semi-final clash with Djokovic. And Mouratoglou noted that none of the Big Three had the same issue.
The Frenchman added: “He’s very, very emotional. We’ve seen him cramp many times already. If you look at Roger, Rafa, and Novak, have you seen them cramp once in a match? All their careers? He cramped many times already, only at 20. He’s an emotional player.”
“He put everything, mentally, emotionally, of course, physically and tennis-wise, on the table to win them, because it’s got counted so much. And when it counts so much for you, emotionally, it’s draining. He was exhausted, mentally exhausted.”
Mouratoglou now wants to see Alcaraz manage his schedule better. It’s something the likes of Federer and Djokovic prioritised as they got older.
Mouratoglou may not be happy with Alcaraz’s latest decision. The world No. 3 is already back in action, representing his nation at this week’s Davis Cup group stage. But, ahead of Spain’s first tie, Alcaraz said he had time to mentally reset – something the French tennis coach will be pleased to hear.
“I wish I had been in New York, of course, but you have to find time to disconnect a little bit. I had two or three days that were good for me to calm down,” the four-time Grand Slam champion explained.
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