At just 21 years of age, Carlos Alcaraz has already proven himself on all three surfaces.
The world number three won his first two ATP Tour titles on clay courts but has since developed into a dangerous player on hard and grass as well.
Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam at the US Open in 2022, having already picked up a ‘big’ title on hard courts earlier that same year in Miami.
The Spaniard is also a two-time champion at Wimbledon, having risen to the top on grass over recent years.
Alcaraz won his second Wimbledon title in 2024, as he now reveals what he was thinking during the final moments of the match.
Carlos Alcaraz told himself to ‘go after’ Novak Djokovic during the 2024 Wimbledon final
Speaking in his new Netflix documentary, Alcaraz reflected on his performance against Novak Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon final.
“I started the final really well, very focused, and knowing exactly what to do,” said Alcaraz.
“I keep going in the same way, following the same pattern. I never gave an inch. Second set, impeccable.
“Third set, break, 5-4.”
Alcaraz then failed to convert match points at 6-2, 6-2, 5-4 [40-0], and now explains how he managed to reset ahead of the tiebreaker.
“Mentally, it was tough,” he said.
“You were already seeing yourself with the Wimbledon trophy, and then, no.
“With [Novak] Djokovic in front of me, I knew that if I had lost that set, it would be a major setback, because Djokovic would seriously step up his game.
“At that moment, I told myself ‘I have to go after him’.”
Alcaraz did just that, stepping into another gear in the tiebreaker, winning 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 [7-4], as he lifted the title on Centre Court for the second year in a row.
Winning his fourth Major title, the Spaniard thinks he learned a lot about himself as a player.
“Winning Wimbledon again is amazing, it’s really special. It felt incredible,” said Alcaraz.
“It felt incredible, and maybe I shouldn’t say this, but I’ve already achieved a lot in tennis, in just a few years of my career, but right now, little by little, I’m also getting to know myself better as a player.
“One of the keys to winning more titles, for me, is to enjoy myself.
“Experiencing that moment of joy, both on the court and off the court, where you forget you’re a tennis player, for me, it’s not just about compatibility, but it’s necessary.”
Carlos Alcaraz ignored his agent’s advice and partied in Ibiza before winning Wimbledon in 2023
Alcaraz certainly enjoyed himself in 2023, as he now admits what he did after losing to Djokovic in the semi-finals of the French Open.
“In 2023, I was already very mentally tired. It was 24-7, 100% thinking about tennis,” he said.
“At Roland Garros, I lost to Djokovic in the semi-finals, and I had a friend who had a few days off, going to Ibiza with some other friends.
“First, I talked to Albert [Molina], ‘Damn, Albert, I don’t know how to say this. I want to go to Ibiza, just for two or three days.”
Alcaraz’s agent, Albert Molina, wasn’t a fan of the idea, as the Spaniard was scheduled to return to action shortly after.
“I tried to explain to him that it might not be the best idea to go to Ibiza for three or four days on vacation when he had a tournament at Queen’s the following week and Wimbledon after that,” said Molina.
Alcaraz decided to go and enjoyed his time away from the practice courts.
“I end up going, and they know what I’m going there to do,” he said.
“In Ibiza, I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty much all about partying and going out. I basically went there to blow off steam.
“I’m not sure if that’s the best way to put it, but I went there to go out.
“I really made the most of it, because I knew I might not get another three days like that.”
The youngster didn’t let the partying affect his performances as he returned to win his second Major title shortly after.
“When I got back, I won Queen’s and Wimbledon,” said Alcaraz.
“I’m not saying I won because of the partying, but those days were good for me, and I believe if things are going well, you have to keep at it.
“I had to do it again this year.”
It remains to be seen if Alcaraz will choose to go on another holiday ahead of the 2025 Wimbledon tournament, but his agent may have a hard time saying no following his victories in 2023 and 2024.
This year’s Wimbledon tournament is set to begin on Monday, June 30.
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