Carlos Alcaraz hit out on the tennis calendar on Saturday, claiming the schedule is “going to kill us”. The 21-year-old French Open and Wimbledon champion is presently participating within the Laver Cup, his 14th event of the yr. Earlier than arriving in Berlin, the Spanish star had already performed 50 singles matches in 2024, profitable three titles and likewise accumulating a silver medal on the Paris Olympics.
“Most likely they’ll kill us indirectly,” Alcaraz mentioned Saturday after defeating Ben Shelton in straight units on the Laver Cup.
Alcaraz mentioned that gamers had totally different opinions on the subject, however in his view “the calendar is so tight”, including “proper now there are quite a lot of accidents.”
“Proper now quite a lot of good gamers are going to overlook quite a lot of tournaments due to that.”
He added that the crowded schedule meant he generally struggled to encourage himself on the tour.
“Typically, you do not wish to go to a event. I am not going to lie — I’ve felt this manner just a few occasions already.
“Typically I do not really feel motivated in any respect. However as I’ve mentioned many, many occasions, I play my greatest tennis after I smile and luxuriate in it on court docket. That is the most suitable choice to maintain motivating (myself).”
On the US Open, the place he gained his first Grand Slam title in 2022, Alcaraz suffered a shock second-round exit to 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp.
He admitted he had blundered by not taking an extended break between the Olympics and New York.
On the Paris Video games, he misplaced an emotionally-draining gold medal match to Novak Djokovic, simply weeks after sweeping the Serb off court docket to efficiently defend his Wimbledon title.
“I took a bit break after the Olympic Video games. I believed it was sufficient. Most likely it wasn’t sufficient. Most likely I got here right here with out as a lot power as I believed I used to be going to (have),” he mentioned after his US Open horror present.
“I’ve to consider it and I’ve to study it.”
‘ATP does not care’
World quantity two Alexander Zverev, additionally enjoying on the Laver Cup, agreed with Alcaraz and demanded motion.
“The ATP does not care about our opinion — it is a cash enterprise,” mentioned the German.
“It is the longest season in sports activities. It is unnecessarily lengthy. We now have an pointless quantity of tournaments.”
Requested if the gamers would strike, Zverev mentioned “we’re not allowed to boycott, we get fined if we do not play tournaments”, including “the tour goes on with out you.”
“We have to do one thing about it. It isn’t a simple resolution, however an answer which must be made.”
Alcaraz and Zverev is not going to end their seasons till late November when the Davis Cup Finals happen in Spain.
The 2025 season begins on December 27 with the United Cup in Australia.
In the meantime, Alcaraz mentioned he hopes he and Jannik Sinner can carve out a storied rivalry like that of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
“I hope so,” Alcaraz mentioned when requested if he and world primary Sinner might emulate the dominance of the “Huge Three” who amassed 66 Grand Slam titles between them.
“Lots of people speak about it. And I hear it, I am not going to lie. I hope that our rivalry goes to be virtually like what the massive three had throughout their complete profession.”
In 2024, Alcaraz and Sinner every gained two Grand Slams, making it the primary yr since 2002 when neither considered one of Federer, Nadal or Djokovic gained a serious.
“Hopefully we will preserve going like that, combating for the good tournaments, sharing nice moments. He has pushed me to change into a greater participant day by day,” added Alcaraz after a 6-4 6-4 win over Shelton that drew Staff Europe degree on factors with Staff World on the Laver Cup.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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