They’re Going to Kill Us in Some Way

By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, September 23, 2024
Photo credit: Matthew Calvis

n tennis’ version of sudden death, Carlos Alcaraz comes to life.

Alcaraz owns a 12-1 record in five-set matches. But lately the 21-year-old Spaniard feels like an endangered species.

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Speaking to the media at Laver Cup Berlin, Alcaraz said the demanding pro circuit can feel like a tennis terminator.

“Probably, they are going to kill us in some way,” Alcaraz told the media at Laver Cup. 

Conceding players have different views on the crammed calendar, Alcaraz, who has played 12 Tour-level events as well as Davis Cup and Laver Cup this season, says the schedule is a health hazard for him.

“A lot of players feel like, okay, it is a good calendar. And a lot of players says that it’s really tight and a lot of tournaments during the whole year,” Alcaraz said. “I’m the kind of player who think there is a lot of tournaments during the year, mandatory tournaments, and probably during the next few years gonna be even more tournaments, more mandatory tournaments.

“So, I mean, probably they are going to kill us in some way (smiling). Right now they are showing up a lot of injuries because of the ball, because of the calendar, because a lot of things.”

Because there are so many tournaments, Alcaraz, who has won titles at Indian Wells, Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, said elite players will skip tournaments to ensure their physical and mental health.

“So probably at some point a lot of good players are going to miss a lot of tournaments because of that, because they have to think about their bodies, they have to take care about their love,” Alcaraz said. “I mean, they have family, they have a lot of other stuff in life than tennis.

“So they have to take care about it, as well. So it’s getting too much, I guess.”

The man who has won Grand Slam championships on all three major surfaces often travels with his family. Alcaraz said taking time away from tournament tennis is key to fueling his competitive fire and maintaining the joy of playing.

“I said many times, you know, the calendar is so tight, a lot of tournaments, no days off or not as much days off as I want,” Alcaraz said. “Sometimes I really want to take some days for myself that I can’t because I have to practice, I have to travel, I have to, you know, the jet lag sometimes when you’re traveling around the world. So sometimes you don’t want to go to tournaments, I’m not gonna lie.

“I have been feeling this, you know, this feeling few times already that I don’t want to go to that tournament because I want to stay at home with my family or my friends, and I have to find the motivation just to go and put the right tennis or the right face in the practice and on the matches.

“I’m business guy. I always want to win every match that I go, but as I said many, many times, my best tennis show up when I’m smiling and enjoying on court, and sometimes difficult to find that rhythm or that good feeling. So, I mean, I want to be focused on my team and my family and try to play my best in every practice, in every match, to be in the top of the ranking. I think it is the best options to keep motivated.”