Andre Agassi lauds Carlos Alcaraz in discussing mental health in sport: "He's got a world on his shoulders"

Sunday, 17 March 2024 at 00:00

Andre Agassi reflected on mental health in sports and discussed the pressure placed on Carlos Alcaraz at just 20 years old. The 8-time Grand Slam champion has previously acknowledged that a significant part of his career dealt with external pressures and that he hated being a tennis player for a long time in his career.

The American legend appreciated the progress in the debate regarding the importance of mental health in athletes: "I think anytime that you have an environment that is friendlier to honesty and communication," he said.

Read also

"Sports by definition, it will always have an inherent anchor to it emotionally," he reflected. "I mean, think about what you have to do to turn pro at 16 years old, what you have to deal with every day of your life. You're giving your entire early existence to one entire focus. The ability to be able to have any real balance or avoid any form of PTSD would require—it'd be an anomaly."

Agassi, who married fellow tennis player and 22-time Grand Slam champion Steffi Graf, also commented on world No. 2 Alcaraz, who has already won 2 Grand Slams and spent over 30 weeks as No. 1. Agassi remarked that the Spanish player is the same age as his children, providing him with a point of comparison regarding the tremendous pressure he faces:

Read also

"Look at Alcazar, he's 20 years old. He's two years younger than my son, he's my daughter's age. And it's like, wow, he's got a world on his shoulders. So you can only imagine what his early years are like," he added

"We love cooking together," Agassi revealed. "We love hiking together. We love even grocery shopping together, dividing and conquering. So it's real life. And we're blessed," the former world No. 1 concluded.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

Novak Djokovic Miami withdrawal does lead to further questions not answers says Tim Henman: "It's quite revealing in some respects"

Who is set to miss Miami Open as second stage of Sunshine Double awaits?