“I Worked Very Hard to Get Here,” Carlos Alcaraz Reflects on His Journey to the Top of the Men’s Circuit

Carlos Alcaraz is seeking his fifth Grand Slam title at the Roland Garros with the hope of also defending the crown.

“I Worked Very Hard to Get Here,” Carlos Alcaraz Reflects on His Journey to the Top of the Men’s Circuit

Carlos Alcaraz (via X/Carlos Alcaraz Daily)

Carlos Alcaraz has established himself at the top of the ATP Tour and he’s also one of the best players of his generation. The Spaniard has been dominant this clay season having won two titles and reached three finals. Ahead of the Roland Garros, he reflected on his journey to the top of the men’s circuit.

Alcaraz made his ATP debut at the 2020 Rio Open at just 16. The Spaniard had to wait for over two years to win his first major title at the US Open. He adapted fast to the competitive climate of the highest level of professional tennis and has made significant progress since then. 5 years since his debut, he has won four Grand Slam titles and is seeking his fifth at the Roland Garros.

The 22-year-old is the defending champion at the Roland Garros. He’s in his best form of the season after just winning the Rome Masters a week ago. He also reached the final of the Barcelona Open after triumphing at the Monte Carlo Masters. During an interview with Roland Garros, he was asked about his growth on the court since turning professional.

The World No.2 wasted no time admitting that despite being talented he has had to work very hard to come this far. He added that he has sacrificed a lot to achieve his goals as a young professional player, and the people around him have helped nurture his growth.

I’ve really worked very, very hard to get here. You need talent, of course, but without work, it’s useless. For years, I worked, I sacrificed a lot of things when I was younger to achieve my goal, to realize my dreams, to become a professional player. I think the secret is to invest all the time and energy necessary on the court and to grow up with the best possible people around you. It also helps a lot to be very well surrounded and I think that’s what I’ve managed to do: I’m with beautiful, professional people, who help me become a better player, a better person.

Alcaraz landed a good draw at the French Open as he hopes to defend the title. The Spaniard will face Kei Nishikori in the first round of the Grand Slam tournament before a potential second round against Hungarian Fabian Marozsan. The World No.2 could then meet French star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the next round.

If he does prevail, a potential fourth-round clash against Ben Shelton and Stefanos Tsitsipas awaits him, while he could likely meet seventh seed and Madrid champion Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals.

Carlos Alcaraz reveals what he did during his worst moments as a professional player

Carlos Alcaraz was having an up-and-down season, while Jannik Sinner was serving a three-month suspension. He failed to capitalize on the Italian’s absence in February until April when he finally got back on track and claimed the Monte Carlo Masters. He then reached the final of the Barcelona Open and won the Rome Masters, and all his momentary struggles were forgotten.

Carlos Alcaraz (via X/Carlos Alcaraz Daily)
Carlos Alcaraz (via X/Carlos Alcaraz Daily)

During the aforementioned interview, he opened up about what he did during the worst periods of his career.

When I hit rock bottom, when I lost matches that I really wanted to win, it was like receiving a big slap. Thanks to my loved ones, I managed to tell myself every time: ‘Okay, I am where I have always dreamed of being since I was a child. So, there is nothing to be angry about, no time to waste on frustrations. Just keep moving forward and enjoy the present moment.’ That’s my mentality, and much of it I owe to the people I have around me.

Alcaraz defeated Sinner in the final of the Rome Masters. The Spaniard earned his fourth consecutive win over the Italian on tour and has lost once in his last three tournaments, with all of them being on clay.

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