“Big, Big Lie,” Carlos Alcaraz Reveals Biggest Misconception About Tennis Players

Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to complete the Channel Slam for the second consecutive time by winning the Wimbledon title.

“Big, Big Lie,” Carlos Alcaraz Reveals Biggest Misconception About Tennis Players

Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz Brasil)

Carlos Alcaraz is chasing his sixth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, where he was pitted against Fabio Fognini in the first round. He is bidding to win his third consecutive title in the tournament.

In the previous two years, the five-time Grand Slam champion defeated Novak Djokovic, whom the second seed again could face in the final. Ahead of his first match, the Spaniard talked about the “big lie” about tennis players. Alcaraz told Hypebeast:

That they are not kind. I, I hear a lot of things that, I mean this tennis player is, how can I say? Is bored or is not kind to the people. So I, I’m going to say this is a big, big lie.

Alcaraz is also aiming to complete the Channel Slam for the second time on the trot, for he also defended the French Open title by beating his arch-rival Jannik Sinner in five sets. The 23-year-old is chasing his sixth title of the season in the grass-court Major, prior to which, he emerged victorious in Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, Rome, Paris, and at the Queen’s Club Championships.

At the Queen’s, Alcaraz also lifted his fourth title on grass by beating Jiri Lehecka. If he reaches the final, he could again schedule a clash with first seed Sinner, who has never progressed to the final at Wimbledon, reaching the semifinals in 2023.

Toni Nadal backs Carlos Alcaraz to win Wimbledon

Many think Wimbledon is the last chance for Novak Djokovic to win his historic 25th Grand Slam title. Since winning his last Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, the 38-year-old lost to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz three times.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via @alcarchive)

Sinner defeated him in the semifinals of last year’s Australian and this year’s French Open. Alcaraz defended his Wimbledon title last year by beating him. Still, it’s difficult to judge Nole in Grand Slam events, especially at Wimbledon where he has reached the final since 2018.

Sinner has never progressed to the final of the grass-court Major, reaching the semifinals in 2023 (lost to Djokovic). Last year, Daniil Medvedev knocked him out in the quarterfinals. The three-time Grand Slam champion also has one grass-court title under his belt- the Halle Open, which he lifted last year and failed to defend this year, losing in the second round to eventual winner Alexander Zverev.

World No.3 Zverev has never lifted a title on grass in his career and at Wimbledon, he has never advanced to the quarterfinals, reaching the last 16 thrice. According to Rafael Nadal‘s uncle and former coach Toni Nadal, no player can challenge Alcaraz at Wimbledon. He wrote in his column for El Pais:

Under normal conditions, few players are capable of disturbing him, I don’t see anyone who could cause him serious problems, especially since he arrives in great shape and full of confidence. The Italian knows that at the crucial moment, he was unable to control his nerves, and it will be difficult for him to forget this bitter memory.

No player other than Alcaraz has achieved more success on the tour this year. Djokovic is struggling to play consistent tennis and has only won the Geneva Open.

Sinner, the most successful man last year (won eight titles and ended the season with a 73-6 win-loss record), lifted just the Australian Open this year and after serving his three-month doping ban, made his comeback at the Italian Open only to reach the final and lose to Alcaraz. The 22-year-old could meet Zverev or Taylor Fritz in the semifinal. Apart from Djokovic and Sinner, Alcaraz could also schedule a match in the championship match against Jack Draper or Lorenzo Musetti.

Also read: Coco Gauff Calls for Women to Play Finals Last Instead of Men and Take Center Stage in Tennis