Carlos Alcaraz achieved a remarkable milestone in 2024 by clinching two Grand Slam titles, bringing his total to four. However, as he progresses into the latter half of the year, he has faced increased scrutiny from tennis fans. Recently, Patrick Mouratoglou, former coach of Serena Williams, shared his thoughts on the same, while highlighting a suggestion to manage things better.
In a video, Mouratoglou said he thought Alcaraz was displaying emotional strain and stressed the importance of improved event scheduling to control mental exhaustion for the players.
Williams’ former coach said, “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.”
Alcaraz, on the other hand, won the silver medal in the Olympics in August after dual successes at the French Open in June and the Wimbledon in July. Nevertheless, his disappointing US Open career came to an abrupt end as he lost to Botic van de Zandschlup in the second round.
Mouratoglou further highlighted that many of the greatest ATP players, including Roger Federer and Rafel Nadal, have rarely experienced cramps during matches, yet Alcaraz, despite his youth, has struggled with this issue. Further, Williams’ ex-coach 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.”
Moreover, Alcaraz acknowledged a few days ago that he was having trouble keeping up with his demanding tennis routine. He candidly talked about how his hectic schedule has been difficult for him and how this has added to the emotional and physical stress he has been feeling all season.
Alcaraz Opens Up About the Strain of Tennis Demands: Balancing Pressure and Performance
Carlos Alcaraz has been on a whirlwind tour of the tennis world, and his recent appearance in the Davis Cup singles and doubles competitions has only highlighted the immense pressure he’s under. In his singles match against Tomas Machac, Alcaraz claimed victory after Machac retired early in the third set. But instead of celebrating, the young Spaniard’s post-match interview revealed a deeper concern—his struggle with the relentless tennis schedule.
Reflecting on both his Davis Cup win and his earlier US Open defeat, Alcaraz didn’t shy away from sharing the mental and physical toll that competing at the highest level takes. “Honestly, it’s a special feeling for me playing here in Valencia at the Davis Cup. I missed it last year. As I said many times, the schedule in tennis is really tight,” he admitted. Alcaraz, only 20, is already grappling with the fine line between pushing for greatness and avoiding burnout.
His words are a reminder that even the brightest stars face their own battles off the court. As he continues to navigate this rigorous schedule, finding the right balance between competition, rest, and recovery will be essential to preserving not just his remarkable talent but also his long-term well-being.
What do you think about Alcaraz’s ongoing battle with the demanding tennis schedule? Could it affect his future in the sport? Drop your thoughts in the comment section below!
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