'Hungry and ready to win': Carlos Alcaraz talks about desperately needing family time amid tough tennis schedule
Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2 in men's tennis, opened up about how much he loves the sport but also how important it is for him to take breaks. The 22-year-old Spaniard is currently playing at the 2025 Cincinnati Open in Ohio.
After a tough match on August 10, he said he needs time to relax with family and friends away from tennis. This honest talk came just weeks after his loss to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon final, showing how even top players need a pause.
Carlos Alcaraz on why taking breaks from tennis is important for him
Winning his Cincinnati Open second-round match, Carlos Alcaraz had a discussion with Prakash Amritraj of Tennis Channel. To enter the third round, he beat Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 2-6, 6-3.
Carlos Alcaraz said playing tennis many days in a row may be taxing.
He said, "I love playing tennis and stepping on the court," but sometimes it is too many days, too many weeks consecutively.
I hence like to take vacation with my friends and family, just lounging about at home, he stated, adding that these pauses allow him to feel new and prepared to come back stronger.
Alcaraz also discussed his rest breaks following major tournaments this year. He took time off following Wimbledon and the French Open (Roland Garros).
He spent days first in Ibiza, then later in southern Spain. "It has been wonderful to have those days," he remarked. "I came back hungry and ready to win again.'
The breaks helped him win the Queen's Club title on grass and reach the Wimbledon final.
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Carlos Alcaraz will play Hamad Medjedovic next at Cincinnati Open
Carlos Alcaraz will square up against Hamad Medjedovic from Serbia in the third round after defeating Damir Dzumhur. Unseeded in the tournament, 22-year-old Medjedovic has triumphed in straight sets in his first two matches.
In the second round, he even vanquished No. 26 seed Tallon Griekspoor, hence making him a formidable competitor. In an ATP Tour-level game, this will be Alcaraz and Medjedovic's first meeting.
The 2025 Cincinnati Open, a significant ATP Masters 1000 tournament hosted every August in Ohio, United States, is this one. The winner will go into the fourth round to meet No. 16 seed Jakub Mensik or fortunate loser Luca Nardi.
Because this is among the most crucial stops before the US Open, athletes like Carlos Alcaraz are aiming for good victories here.
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