Carlos Alcaraz is back in action at the Italian Open after being sidelined with an adductor injury he picked up at the Barcelona Open.
Alcaraz withdrew from the Madrid Open following his loss to Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final, but is now healthy enough to play his fourth Masters 1000 tournament of the season in Rome.
The Spaniard will play Dusan Lajovic in his opening match at the Italian Open on Centre Court at the Foro Italico tennis complex.
Alcaraz is in pursuit of his 19th career title, and third of the 2025 season, having already clinched victories in Rotterdam and Monte-Carlo.
His season has been a busy one so far, competing in three Masters 1000 events, a Grand Slam, and away from the court, Alcaraz had his own documentary released in April, which he gave his reaction to after watching it back.
Carlos Alcaraz says he was ‘nervous’ about how his documentary would be received
Speaking on the documentary that gave the tennis world an insight into his life, ‘Carlos Alcaraz: My Way’, the 22-year-old said: “Well, honestly, I was nervous. I was nervous, honestly, because I didn’t know how it’s going to be for the people when they watch it, how is going to be they reactions.”
“I mean, I liked it. I liked it. But, yeah, just really wanted to [know] that the people enjoy watching it, they like it, as well.”
“So far the reactions has been super positive, which for me it was great. Some players told me that they loved it. It was really honest, as well.”
“I [am] just super happy that there was a great impact for the people, for the fans. Just try to show my person, how I am, and how I was struggling, my thoughts in my head. I’m just real happy about how the people watch it.”
Carlos Alcaraz says he is trying not to think about criticism of his work ethic
Responding to criticism of his work ethic emerging from viewers of the documentary, Alcaraz replied: “Well, I mean, one thing that I learned was about not thinking about anything the people say to me, or not the real people, my close people, my team, my family, or my close friends.
“I’m trying just to think not about that. Yeah, I hear good things, bad things about that. So I just want to keep in my path, keep in my own way.”
“But sometimes they found it, like, weird following that path, like enjoying life, not being such a professional that probably they could do it.”
“But, I mean, I just, as I said, follow with the things that I want, that I like, my team, the things that my team tell me, my close people, my family and my friends, and that’s it.”
Alcaraz was asked in his press conference about the different understanding he and his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero have on what it takes to be the best.
He responded: “I’m not going to say the fight, but the conversation we have, coach and player, we all have it. We all have that conversations about everything: about the tournaments, the practices, the things that I want to do that I probably don’t have to.’
“Whoever says they don’t have it, they lie. I think that’s the beauty, you know, having mixed feelings, mixed point of view. At the end we go in the same path. We go all together. So I think that’s beautiful, as well. I think that’s what I saw in the commentary, as well.”
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