Carlos Alcaraz’s current injury spell has brought renewed attention to a balancing act he has long tried to manage: the push-and-pull between elite tennis demands and the need for physical and mental well-being.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, the Spaniard opened up about the relentless pace of the tour, the weight of expectation, and the fear that tennis might consume his entire life.
“I have a long career ahead of me and I try not to think that I have 12 or 15 years left, because it overwhelms me,” the two-time Roland Garros champion said with a chuckle. He admitted one of his biggest concerns is falling into a routine that would turn him into “a slave to tennis.”
Alcaraz’s comments come at a delicate moment, after he withdrew from competition due to a wrist injury that forced him to miss both Rome and Roland Garros. The player acknowledged that without proper mental and physical disconnect, the body and mind eventually take their toll.
“There have been times when I didn’t stop, I didn’t disconnect, and that ended up with me not playing good tennis or getting injured,” Alcaraz explained, pausing with a resigned smile. “Let’s just say it didn’t end well.”
Beyond tennis, Alcaraz also reflected on the public scrutiny that comes with being a top sports star and the criticism he sometimes faces for his off-court choices.
“Now you have to be much more careful about what you say and what you do, because in the end we’re all human,” the Spaniard noted, growing increasingly aware of the media impact his every move generates.
The interview inevitably touched on Jannik Sinner, with whom Alcaraz is building the defining rivalry of tennis’s new generation. Rather than stoking artificial tension, Alcaraz emphasized the good relationship they share off the court despite their fierce competitiveness during matches.
“We try to hurt each other as much as possible on court, and then off it we’re two guys who get along really well,” he said.
The Murcian believes it’s still too early to compare his duel with Sinner to the great historical rivalries in tennis, though he didn’t hide his desire to contest many more finals against the Italian.
“I hope we play many more times and share the big titles between us,” he stated.
Now in recovery after several months marked by injuries, Alcaraz left a reflection that sums up his current mindset: taking care of his mind is becoming as important as taking care of his body.
“There are a lot of people obsessed with the physical side, but for me it’s equally important to take care of your mind,” he concluded.
