Boris Becker admits his big fear about Carlos Alcaraz has come true ahead of clay court season

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Carlos Alcaraz wasn’t at his best at the Sunshine Double events in America, failing to pick up a title at either tournament for the first time in four years.

The Spaniard took to the court in Indian Wells as a two-time defending champion but could not extend his winning run.

Alcaraz lost to Jack Draper in the semi-finals, 1-6, 6-0, 4-6, suffering his first defeat in California since 2022.

His form continued to spiral in Miami, as Belgian veteran David Goffin knocked Alcaraz out in the second round.

Ahead of Alcaraz’s transition to clay courts, one ATP legend admits his greatest fear for the 21-year-old has been realized.

Boris Becker says he was afraid Carlos Alcaraz would play ‘too many’ tournaments and exhibitions

Speaking on the Becker Petkovic podcast, former world number one Boris Becker explained what he was ‘afraid’ Alcaraz would do and regretfully says he was right.

“I was afraid that the Spaniard would simply play too many tournaments and that he would also play exhibitions during the winter break,” said Becker.

“Then the Exhibition in Vegas [Editor’s note: it was actually in Puerto Rico] ahead of Indian Wells.

“This is all nice for the wallet, but for the annual planning, the tournament planning, it is bad.

“Unfortunately, I was right.”

Earlier this year, Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe played out an entertaining exhibition match in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The German then predicted where he thinks Alcaraz will begin his clay court campaign.

“He is now in Mexico with his family,” said Becker.

“I can’t imagine him playing in Monte Carlo next, it starts again on Sunday.

“If he only starts in Barcelona, as always, that’s fine, but he has to get [going] now.

“Because he won Paris [in 2024], he is one of the superstars in the scene, and we want to see him in the semifinals.

“We may need it now.”

Becker expects Alcaraz to skip the year’s only non-mandatory Masters 1000 event in Monte Carlo for the third year in a row.

• 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters – Carlos Alcaraz did not appear
• 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters – Carlos Alcaraz did not appear
• 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters – Carlos Alcaraz lost his opening match to Sebastian Korda
• 2021 Monte-Carlo Masters – Carlos Alcaraz did not appear

The 21-year-old is yet to win a match in the principality, and Becker doesn’t seem to think that will change in 2025.

How many exhibition events has Carlos Alcaraz played recently?

Becker is concerned Alcaraz has focused too much on exhibition events, but how many has the Spaniard played recently?

Since the beginning of the 2024 season, Alcaraz has played 14 exhibition matches across four different continents.

Alcaraz’s participation in Saudi Arabia’s Six Kings Slam saw him play three matches in four days last October, pocketing well over $1.5 million for his efforts.

Reaching the final, Alcaraz lost to Jannik Sinner, 7-6, 3-6, 3-6, as the Italian took home the biggest prize in tennis history, earning $6 million.

It remains to be seen what Alcaraz’s exhibition schedule will look like for the rest of the year, but it will certainly be something to watch out for.

Alcaraz is expected to return to action at the Monte-Carlo Masters on April 7, although, as Becker predicts, that could soon change.