Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old French Open and Wimbledon champion, voiced his concerns about the intense tennis schedule, claiming it’s physically and mentally draining for players. Competing in his 14th tournament of the year at the Laver Cup, Alcaraz has already played 50 singles matches in 2024, winning three titles and earning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. After defeating Ben Shelton in straight sets at the Laver Cup, he remarked, “Probably they are going to kill us in some way,” highlighting the toll of the tight calendar.
Alcaraz pointed out that numerous top players are missing tournaments due to injuries caused by the grueling schedule. He admitted that the crowded itinerary sometimes makes it hard to stay motivated, saying, “Sometimes, you don’t want to go to a tournament… I don’t feel motivated at all.” Reflecting on his shock second-round exit at the US Open, where he lost to world No. 74 Botic van de Zandschulp, Alcaraz acknowledged he may not have taken enough rest after the emotionally taxing Paris Olympics.
Alcaraz also expressed excitement about the potential for a long-standing rivalry with Jannik Sinner, similar to the legendary trio of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer, who combined for 66 Grand Slam titles. Both Alcaraz and Sinner claimed two Grand Slam titles in 2024, marking the first year since 2002 where neither Federer, Nadal, nor Djokovic won a major. Alcaraz hopes their rivalry will inspire greatness, saying, “He has pushed me to become a better player every day.”
