On a crisp Parisian afternoon at the 2025 French Open, Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2 and defending champion, opened his title defense with a commanding 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri. The 22-year-old Spaniard’s explosive performance on Court Philippe-Chatrier was a statement of intent, but it was his post-match press conference that stole the spotlight. Addressing a persistent media narrative from his native Spain suggesting he once considered quitting tennis for a career in soccer, Alcaraz delivered a blunt rebuttal: “That’s a lie. I played football, but from the very beginning, I always wanted to play tennis. It never crossed my mind to quit tennis. Never, never, never.” The fiery dismissal underscored the four-time Grand Slam champion’s unwavering commitment to his craft as he aims to cement his legacy on the red clay of Roland Garros.
Alcaraz’s journey to this moment has been one of relentless ambition. Hailing from Murcia, Spain, he began playing tennis at age four under his father’s guidance at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia. By 15, he was training at the Ferrero Tennis Academy under former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, who remains his coach and a pivotal figure in his rise. Alcaraz’s breakout came in 2022 when he won the US Open at 19, becoming the youngest men’s world No. 1 in the Open Era. Since then, he’s added two Wimbledon titles and last year’s French Open crown, defeating Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev in grueling five-set battles. His 2025 season has been equally impressive, with titles in Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo, and Rome, and a runner-up finish in Barcelona, solidifying his status as a clay-court maestro.
The rumor Alcaraz debunked stemmed from comparisons between tennis and soccer, a sport he admires as a passionate Real Madrid fan. In the press conference, he elaborated on the challenges of tennis’s nomadic lifestyle, contrasting it with soccer players’ ability to return home after matches. “What I’d like is to have a home base for longer periods of time,” he said. “Footballers, even when they travel for away games—they usually go home to sleep. We’re traveling week after week, hotel after hotel. We can’t really have what you’d call a home—we’re always in different places.” His candid reflection highlighted the toll of a 14-tournament schedule in 2024, including a silver medal at the Paris Olympics and a shocking US Open second-round exit to Botic van de Zandschulp. Yet, Alcaraz’s love for tennis remains unshaken, fueled by a desire to entertain and inspire. “I want to have fun, try different things, make the people enjoy watching tennis,” he once said, a mantra evident in his electrifying drop shots and relentless court coverage.
Despite his youth, Alcaraz carries the weight of expectations as the heir to Rafael Nadal, his idol and Davis Cup teammate. His athleticism, often compared to Nadal’s, and his creative shot-making, likened to Novak Djokovic’s, have drawn praise from peers. Djokovic himself called Alcaraz “the talk of our sport for the last two years,” noting his unprecedented achievements as a teenager. However, 2024 wasn’t without struggles. A hip flexor issue during the Barcelona final and a rare outburst at the Cincinnati Open, where he smashed his racket in frustration after losing to Gael Monfils, revealed the pressures of stardom. “I felt like it was the worst match that I’ve ever played in my career,” he admitted then, vowing to learn from the moment. His Netflix docuseries, *Carlos Alcaraz: My Way*, offered a glimpse into these challenges, showcasing his decision to take a brief break in Ibiza after a 2023 Roland Garros loss to recharge and win Wimbledon.
As Alcaraz prepares to face Fabian Marozsan in the second round, his confidence is palpable. “The serve is not as important probably as on hard court,” he said in Monte-Carlo, acknowledging clay’s forgiving nature for his still-developing serve. With a 20-5 clay-court record in 2025 and a game built on ferocious forehands and deceptive drop shots, he’s a favorite to repeat as champion. Off the court, his grounded nature shines through, shaped by family values. “To them, I am not a big tennis star, just a normal guy,” he told reporters, crediting his parents and brother Álvaro, his hitting partner, for keeping him humble. As he navigates the pressures of fame and a relentless schedule, Alcaraz’s emphatic rejection of retirement rumors reaffirms his hunger to dominate tennis for years to come, one dazzling rally at a time.
# Carlos Alcaraz Silences Doubters with Fiery Denial of Retirement Rumors at Roland Garros
## Dominant Start
On May 26, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 2, began his French Open title defense with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Giulio Zeppieri. His dynamic play, featuring powerful forehands and drop shots, set the tone for a deep run.
## Shutting Down Rumors
Addressing Spanish media claims that he considered quitting tennis for soccer, Alcaraz said, “That’s a lie. I played football, but from the very beginning, I always wanted to play tennis. It never crossed my mind to quit tennis. Never, never, never.” He contrasted tennis’s grueling travel with soccer’s stability: “What I’d like is to have a home base for longer periods of time. Footballers… usually go home to sleep.”
## Season Context
Alcaraz’s 2025 includes titles in Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo, and Rome, and a Barcelona final. His 2024 struggles, like a US Open loss to Botic van de Zandschulp and a Cincinnati outburst—“I felt like it was the worst match that I’ve ever played”—revealed pressures, but his Ibiza break fueled a Wimbledon title.
## Looking Ahead
Facing Fabian Marozsan next, Alcaraz leverages clay’s slower pace: “The serve is not as important probably as on hard court.” With a 20-5 clay record and a fan-first approach—“I want to have fun, try different things”—he’s poised to chase a fifth major, inspired by family and Nadal’s legacy.
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