“If you look at Roger, Rafa, and Novak, have you seen them cramp once in a match?” : Patrick Mouratoglou reveals the worrying problems of Carlos Alcaraz’s busy schedule
In the past two decades, the ‘Big 3’ of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, have won over 150 titles combined. Their longevity, work ethic and determination are widely talked about, but people often miss out on one of the most important aspects which made them compete at the top for so long – their fitness.
Carlos Alcaraz is firmly on the line of becoming the next great in tennis, but he has recently been hit back by a rather dreadful thought. The Spainard has had one of his best years, winning the Wimbledon and French Open. But after losing the Olympic gold medal to Novak Djokovic, the 21-year-old has been on a dry spell with early eliminations in tournaments.
Although, nobody really knew before the actual reason of Carlos Alcaraz’s poor performances late in the year, some fans on social media believed the Spainard lost his confidence after a close defeat to the Serbian in the Olympics final. This belief was solidified after hearing his words after his surprise second round exit in the Flushing Meadows.
“Right now, I feel like I’ve taken steps backwards mentally and I don’t understand why. I’ve had a spectacular summer at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I left those tournaments saying that I’d taken a step forward mentally. I’d realised that to win big things, to win Grand Slam titles, you have to be mentally strong,” said the 21-year-old.
“Now I’ve reached this swing and I’ve taken steps backwards, like I’m not doing well mentally, I’m not strong. I don’t know how to control myself when faced with problems and I don’t know how to handle it.” Alcaraz added.
After hearing the Spainard’s comments, it is obvious that he is feeling mentally drained out. Recently, French tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou took to social media and explained exactly why this is happening to the 21-year-old.
“That is exactly the consequence of someone who is emotionally drained” : Patrick Mouratoglou on Carlos Alcaraz’s recent struggles
Patrick Mouratoglou believes the Spainard’s busy schedule with little to no rest has taken an effect on him, hindering his performances. The Frenchman also said that he was ‘not surprised’ to see this outcome, knowing fully well the toll the body takes after playing high-pressure tournaments constantly.
“I wouldn’t think he would lose in three sets like this but for me, it’s half a surprise. Two Grand Slams in a row, now he can rest. No. The Olympic Games now. Plus, all the other tournaments. He was exhausted, mentally exhausted. I am not surprised that he is saying that he had so many thoughts and so many emotions that he couldn’t deal with. That is exactly the consequence of someone who is emotionally drained,” said Mouratoglou (via social media).
“If you are not fresh here [in the mind], it is more and more difficult to do it.” the 54-year-old added.
The Frenchman also compared Carlos Alcaraz to the ‘Big 3’, suggesting that the Spainard does not have the emotional maturity of their level yet, and that he and his team need to take things slowly and let him recover, especially mentally.
“He’s very, very emotional. We’ve seen him cramp many times already. If you look at Roger, Rafa, and Novak, have you seen them cramp once in a match? All their careers? He cramped many times already, only at 20. He’s an emotional player. So, I think that knowing that, in the future, they will have to think of a calendar where he has enough rest – mental rest, not physical rest. Mental rest. I think it is very important for his future,” the Frenchman suggested.
Luckily, Carlos Alcaraz is only 21 and has a long way ahead in his career. But in order for no major issues in the long term, the Spainard needs to operate carefully – both physically and mentally.
