Carlos Alcaraz has been recently speaking about the pressures of social media and the negativity it can often bring.
And now, supporting his point is long-time friend and rival Holger Rune.
The two have shared the court competitively on just three occasions in the professional sphere, having grown up together throughout the sport.
Now two of its most prodigious talents, their opinion should hold great weight in potentially sparking much-needed change.
What Holger Rune said about Carlos Alcaraz
Chatting to the Indian Wells Press, the Danish tennis sensation agreed with what Alcaraz had been feeling regarding social media.
The 20-year-old claimed: ‘I try to avoid reading social media as much as possible, to be honest. I’m less and less on social media. I try to give back to all my fans. I think it’s important because it means a lot really.
‘It’s great to have these encouraging people and fans that stand behind you. Lift you up when you need it. Then there are also the haters obviously. We need both, right?
‘So I think it’s just a part of it. But I really think that, like, someone said, the comments that are made are way too much. You would probably never see a person & go up to another player’s face and say stuff like that in real life. I think you have to control a little bit what you’re saying, even on social media. I think it’s important.
‘I can’t speak on behalf of all players, but I think, it’s kind of a joke, really. Because, it’s just really people that are betting on the matches that probably lost a bet or something and they feel like they want to write some s***.
‘So I don’t think they write it with a lot of meaning. Just an effect. But I still think it’s not okay.
‘To answer about how Carlos felt about it. I mean, it’s a little bit tough to be negative on Carlos. What he’s been doing. it’s unbelievable, winning two Grand Slams already, he’s 20 years old. I think that there is not much to be negative about.’
Carlos Alcaraz has faced unwarranted criticism of late
People often forget just how much Alcaraz has accomplished despite his youth, as Rune notes.
Having already done what many will fail to do throughout their entire career, he has given himself the best possible foundation for long-term success in the sport whilst also alleviating the pressure that chasing Grand Slams brings.
However, given his loss at the US Open last year, his inability to reach the final of the ATP Masters event, and his subsequent quarter-final exit in the Australian Open in January, questions have arisen over his true ability.
Crazily so.
There is no doubt that he will soon come back ready to dominate once again, and that could start here in Indian Wells with a solid title defence.
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