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 at the moment participating within the Laver Cup, his 14th event of the 12 months. Earlier than arriving in Berlin, the Spanish star had already performed 50 singles matches in 2024, profitable three titles and likewise amassing a silver medal on the Paris Olympics.
“In all probability they will kill us indirectly,” Alcaraz stated Saturday after defeating Ben Shelton in straight units on the Laver Cup.
Alcaraz stated that gamers had completely different opinions on the subject, however in his view “the calendar is so tight”, including “proper now there are a variety of accidents.”
“Proper now a variety of good gamers are going to overlook a variety of tournaments due to that.”
He added that the crowded schedule meant he typically struggled to inspire himself on the tour.
“Generally, you do not need to go to a event. I am not going to lie — I’ve felt this manner just a few instances already.
“Generally I do not really feel motivated in any respect. However as I’ve stated many, many instances, 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 assumed it was sufficient. In all probability it wasn’t sufficient. In all probability I got here right here with out as a lot power as I assumed I used to be going to (have),” he stated after his US Open horror present.
“I’ve to consider it and I’ve to find out about 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,” stated the German.
“It is the longest season in sports activities. It is unnecessarily lengthy. We have now an pointless quantity of tournaments.”
Requested if the gamers would strike, Zverev stated “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 straightforward answer, 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 stated 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 stated when requested if he and world primary Sinner may emulate the dominance of the “Huge Three” who amassed 66 Grand Slam titles between them.
“Lots of people discuss 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 12 months since 2002 when neither certainly one of Federer, Nadal or Djokovic gained a serious.
“Hopefully we’ll preserve going like that, preventing for the good tournaments, sharing nice moments. He has pushed me to turn out to be a greater participant day by day,” added Alcaraz after a 6-4 6-4 win over Shelton that drew Crew Europe stage on factors with Crew World on the Laver Cup.
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