Carlos Alcaraz on His Philosophy of Life: ‘You must not lose your smile, your good energy, your good spirits’

Alcaraz, 20 years old, referred to his philosophy of life: “You must not lose your smile, your good energy, your good spirits” (EFE/ Luciano González)

From a very young age, Carlos Alcaraz already gave the impression of being a star in the making. Speaking in times of pandemic with his current coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero (former No. 1 in the world), he was excited telling about the barely 16-year-old diamond that he had just been commissioned to cut.

And little Carlos grew up all these years in search of his destiny: to be an elite tennis player, trying to develop a personal training that would be passed on by his parents. “This is how you grow,” says the world No. 2, “with the education that you have been given and that you have been receiving, and that is reflected positively on the court. If you grow properly as a person, with good values, maturing, on the court they are similar, they go as if linked. In other words, we are trying to learn from all the experiences that they give us, life, tennis, of course. And obviously, I continue with my parents (he starts to smile, he always does), they continue to work with me so that I grow up properly,” he emphasizes in an interview with Infobae.

– You are talking and you smile, you do it in the middle of a game and when you are with the fans. It’s a smile that doesn’t fade from your face. What is it that sustains it?

– (Obviously, smile even more) Well, they are the values ​​that my parents have instilled in me, it is what they have taught me as a child, that we must not lose the smile, the good energy, the good spirit. I think that is the most important thing, not only in sports, but in life in general. Always being in good spirits and smiling; That, in the end, gives you a good day. On the contrary, if you are in a bad mood, everything goes wrong, you become frustrated, you do not make adequate progress in what you are looking for or in what you want. And that’s what we try to do every day. And we are playing tennis, which is my passion, which is what I love, and there is no moment to be angry or down, which sometimes there is, eh? Because nothing is a bed of roses, but let’s understand that most of the time we have to enjoy it smiling.

-And with the fans, isn’t it exhausting?

– It’s wonderful with the fans! It’s very good to have them there, so we try to give them as much time as possible, so that they also enjoy my presence, and that exchange arises, that they enjoy me and I enjoy them.

For a tournament like the IEB+ Argentina Open, having Carlos Alcaraz is elevating the show for tennis lovers and “a true privilege,” as recognized by Martín Hughes, director of Tennium Latam, who recognizes that a great effort has been made.

Mosquito Ferrero, his coach, was a regular attendee of the Buenos Aires tournament and must have counted on his influence for Carlos Alcaraz to return to Argentina for the second consecutive time: “Last year I came because I had missed the Australian tour. , because I couldn’t play, and I hadn’t competed for a long time – the Murcian begins to explain -. Since I was already feeling well in February, I decided to come and now return. The truth is that I loved the organization and the public. On top of everything, I won the title. And this year they have made improvements that make me see it differently, because, for me, it was an ATP 250, but this year the players feel more comfortable.”

A phrase that has not only been repeated by the Spaniard since he joined the club last week, and that had a good impact on the organization and leaves Argentina in a good position, after the investment and remodeling of the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club stadium.

– You were just talking about Djokovic and Sinner as your direct rivals to fight for No. 1. How are you handling that bid? Is it a burden that weighs you down or a close goal?

– Well, it’s a struggle. It’s a fight and it’s a goal to get back to number one, obviously. Now there are many players who are fighting for that position and also to win the Grand Slam. It is a very even fight. There are Djokovic and Sinner who, for me, today, are at the top and are the players to beat right now. But there is also (Andrey) Rublev, there is (Alexander) Zverev, there is Holger (Rune), everyone is capable of giving their best level, to be up there, so we will see. But it is true that, right now, between Sinner, Medvedev and I there is an even battle for No. 1.

Pressures are part of the game and the Spaniard is very clear about that, however he tries to leave them dormant when competing. But there are some of them that pursue his career. When Alcaraz appeared on the big circuit, people began to see him as the projection of Rafael Nadal and most, especially the Spanish, thought of him as the next emperor of Roland Garros, however, Carlos has won Wimbledon and the US Open, but succumbed in the semis of the French Open.

– Do you feel that it is an outstanding debt to win it?

– A Grand Slam is worth like any other, in short, they are all worth one. I understand that for the Spanish public Roland Garros is very important, what happens is that I do not feel that it is my duty to win it. It is a very nice tournament and I am excited to win it like any other.

– You just said that you preferred winning the Olympic Games to a Grand Slam

– This year. Because it is a dream to be able to bring an Olympic medal to Spain, I think it is one of the important achievements common to all sports.

– How is your relationship with Argentines?

– Very good. Argentinians are wonderful, the truth is that I have many Argentine friends and they are incredible people. Last year there was no better way to end that week, so I wanted to come, to try to repeat that fantastic week, in which I enjoyed every day and every second that I was here. A week that was enjoyed in that way had to be repeated.

Alcaraz celebrates his title at the 2023 Argentina Open, after beating Cameron Norrie in the final (REUTERS/Matias Baglietto)

– Did you try mate?

– (He laughs and his faces are not very satisfied, but he continues smiling) I tried it last year and…

– You do not like me

– Uhmmm! Let’s just say I have to try it again (laughs louder now).

– If you had to take one meal with you from Argentina, what would it be?

– The typical roast! (exclaims)

– What if you were a song? It can be anyone, it doesn’t have to be Argentine. Which one would you be?

– That is a good one! It’s good. I didn’t know which one to tell you, but, come on, I’m going to say “Neverita”, by Bad Bunny. It’s a good “mood”, without going too heavy, but it’s a good, calm vibe. So I would say that one.

2024-02-13 04:02:00
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