“I thought, Where do I go now?” – Alcaraz reveals how his aspirations dimmed after winning first Slam

Achieving a lifelong dream can be immensely satisfying but can also throw up existential questions. For many tennis players, winning a Grand Slam or becoming the world’s top-ranked player has led to a period of struggle, resetting expectations and goals, and a lot of adjustments.

It was no different for Carlos Alcaraz after the 19-year-old won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open last year and in the process became the youngest world No 1 in men’s tennis history.

In a new interview with Vogue magazine, Alcaraz, now ranked No 2 in the world, reveals how he went through a tough period following his first Major title as he lost some of his drive.

“I had a bad period after I won the US Open. That sounds like I’m making it up, but…well, I enjoyed that moment a lot. But the truth is, when I had to go back into competition, there was a point when I went: ‘Stress!’ You know?,” Alcaraz said in the interview. “I think what happened was, when I saw that I’d achieved what I’d dreamed of since I was a little kid, unconsciously that aspiration dimmed a bit. And that was hard. Because no one was enjoying it—I wasn’t, on the court; Juanki (Note – his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero) wasn’t, seeing me so shut down and lacking in spark. I thought, Where do I go now?”

“Thanks to Isabel I’ve gotten much better. Feeling calm during such a demanding year is essential.” – Alcaraz on working with psychologist

The Spaniard also reveals during the interview that he has been working with a psychologist, Isabel Balaguer. “She’s helped me a lot,” Alcaraz says “I was a bit all over the place. I didn’t control my emotions well, I got really pissed off. When I was 15 or 16, I threw my racket around quite a bit, or I’d break one, and that put my game at risk. So, I knew I had to improve in that respect. Thanks to Isabel I’ve gotten much better. Feeling calm during such a demanding year is essential. And from my point of view, it’s crucial to go out onto the court smiling, feeling happy. That helps you mentally. For me, it’s everything.”

Alcaraz, who missed the season-ending ATP Finals and last month’s Australian Open due to injury, returned to the tour after more than three months and won the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires last week. He will aim to extend his winning streak at this week’s Rio Open where he is the top seed.

You might also like this

VIDEO: The week Alcaraz crushed everyone on his comeback!

tennis majors

The statistics that defined 2022 – Alcaraz becomes the youngest No 1 in history

tennis majors

From Carlitos to Alcaraz, episode 6: What next for the Spanish phenomenon and can anyone stop him from dominating the sport?

tennis majors

From Carlitos to Alcaraz, Episode 5: Physical and mental strength, like no young player in the history of the men’s game

tennis majors

Alcaraz v Sinner, the US Open quarter-final that may have shaped our next decade of tennis

tennis majors

From Carlitos to Alcaraz, Episode 3: Attack, defence, power, touch – Alcaraz the pioneer of “total tennis”

tennis majors

From Carlitos to Alcaraz, episode 2 : The fastest ever man to reach world No 1

tennis majors

From Carlitos to Alcaraz, episode 1, The uncut diamond from El Palmar

tennis majors