‘Role model’ Carlos Alcaraz advises his juniors to ‘enjoy’ time on courts to deal with pressure ahead of US Open

Ahead of his first-round match at the 2024 US Open, Carlos Alcaraz has stated that he plays all his matches without pressure.

‘Role model’ Carlos Alcaraz advises his juniors to ‘enjoy’ time on courts to deal with pressure ahead of US Open

Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Imago)

Carlos Alcaraz used to be a promising youngster capable of walking in the footsteps of the Big 3. At just 21 years old, he has become a ‘role model’ for his juniors. With four Grand Slam titles already in his trophy cabinet, Alcaraz aims to chase what the Big 3 has achieved, and many believe he would do so in the blink of an eye. 

Alcaraz, however, feels no pressure when he enters the court for a match. The reason is that he loves the game so much and enjoys his time on the court. He said his being aggressive also plays a part, as he is not afraid of playing near the net and hitting big shots. 

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Honestly, I don’t know what juniors can learn from me. Probably the joy that I’m playing with. It seems like I don’t feel the pressure anytime. I play all the points in the same way.
Carlos Alcaraz told Tennis Channel

Alcaraz is at the US Open and will play his first match on Tuesday (August 27) against Li Tu. He has already won the title at Flushing Meadows in 2022 and winning the title this season will make him the seventh player in men’s tennis to win three Grand Slams in the same calendar year, having already won the French Open and Wimbledon. 

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Carlos Alcaraz recalls meeting Rafael Nadal for the first time 

In that same interview with Tennis Channel, Carlos Alcaraz recalled the time he met his idol Rafael Nadal for the first time. They met in Madrid, the same place where Alcaraz locked horns with the 38-year-old in 2021 and lost the match 6-1, 6-2. 

Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X)
The first picture I took with him I was 11 or 12 years old in the tournament in Madrid. I played him for the first time there in 2021. I was so, so scared. He destroyed me, but it was a good time.
Carlos Alcaraz said

A year later, Alcarz again met Nadal in the 2022 Madrid Open, but this time they played a three-setter, with Alcaraz emerging victorious 6-2, 1-6, 6-3. Other than the two Madrid Open matches, Alcaraz clashed with Nadal at the 2022 Indian Wells Masters, which the latter won. 

The Spanish duo also joined hands for doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. They made it to the quarterfinals but lost in straight sets to the American pair of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram. 

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