Carlos Alcaraz Gives Interesting Take on the ‘Ugly’ Side of Social Media in the Modern Age

Carlos Alcaraz is expected to return to action at the Canadian Open.

Carlos Alcaraz Gives Interesting Take on the ‘Ugly’ Side of Social Media in the Modern Age

Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

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Social media has become a vital tool for top athletes like Carlos Alcaraz. It allows stars to connect closely with fans, offering a glimpse into their lives. But while it creates a sense of community, it can also bring unwanted pressure and negativity.

Alcaraz discussed this balance in an interview with the Financial Times. He reflected on how social media can be both helpful and harmful. Though it supports fan engagement, it sometimes feels like a burden. Alcaraz said on the Financial Times:

I use social media a lot, and it’s not a very good environment, not to say a horrible one. It’s become a very important tool for work, but on a personal level, it’s a very ugly world. At the end of the day, nothing is real. People show a life that isn’t really theirs, a face that isn’t theirs. And then, besides that, there are a lot of people who can reach you with a simple comment and who can hurt you. I think there’s no worse weapon than words.

The young Spaniard is especially active on Instagram, where he enjoys a large following. He often shares moments from his career and interacts with fans, helping him build a strong online presence.

One notable example happened during Wimbledon. A fan’s father fainted from the heat on the opening day. Alcaraz responded with kindness, handing the fan his water bottle. The fan’s son later shared the story online, and it was met with widespread praise.

Carlos Alcaraz makes more ATP history

Carlos Alcaraz may not be competing in Toronto this week, but he’s still celebrating a major career milestone. The 22-year-old has now spent 100 weeks inside the Top 2 of the ATP rankings. That includes 36 weeks at No. 1 and 64 weeks at No. 2.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

This achievement makes Alcaraz the second-youngest player in ATP history to spend 100 weeks in the Top 2. The only one to do it at a younger age was Rafael Nadal, who reached the same mark at 21. Both are part of a proud legacy in Spanish tennis.

Nadal’s first 100 weeks in the Top 2 were all at No. 2, just behind Roger Federer. Bjorn Borg was slightly older than Alcaraz when he reached this same milestone. These comparisons place Alcaraz among elite company.

Looking ahead, Alcaraz seems likely to stay near the top for a while. In the 12-month ATP rankings, he holds a 2,570-point lead over No. 3 Alexander Zverev. On the ATP Race to Turin standings for 2025, he’s comfortably ahead, leading Novak Djokovic by 4,160 points.

Carlos Alcaraz’s earnings compared to Roger Federer at 22

World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz has made a remarkable impact on tennis at a very young age. Since turning professional, he has quickly become a regular contender at the sport’s top events. His rapid rise and list of accomplishments are rare, especially in such a competitive field.

Carlos Alcaraz Roger Federer Laver Cup 2024
Carlos Alcaraz and Roger Federer (image via Laver Cup)

Often seen as Rafael Nadal’s successor, Alcaraz reached World No. 1 at just 19. Now at 22, he has already won 21 titles, including five Grand Slams across all three surfaces. His early dominance has naturally drawn comparisons to some of the greatest players in tennis history.

For instance, by the age of 22, Roger Federer had only secured one Grand Slam—Wimbledon 2003. Though a major milestone, his earnings at the time totaled just over $7.6 million. Alcaraz, in contrast, has collected $47.3 million in prize money, showing just how much the sport has changed financially.

This large gap in earnings comes down to two main reasons. Alcaraz has won more titles at a younger age, and prize money in tennis has grown significantly. For example, the 2003 Wimbledon champion received $575,000, while the 2025 winner earned a staggering $3 million.

Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz Addresses ‘Trash Talk’ About Potential Friction With Jannik Sinner