"Carlos Alcaraz, he’s one in a billion": John McEnroe urges tennis players to attend college and "play other sports"
ATP
John
McEnroe showered Carlos Alcaraz with praise as "one in a billion" on
the SmartLess podcast.
The 7-times
Grand Slam champion discussed the current situation of the young Spanish
player, Carlos Alcaraz, who recently exited in the first round of the Paris
Masters and is preparing for the ATP Finals in Turin.
The World
No. 2 hasn't had a strong performance in his recent tournaments, including an
early exit in the Shanghai Open, leaving him significantly behind Novak
Djokovic in the ATP Ranking.
In a recent
episode of the SmartLess podcast, John McEnroe talked about the importance of
young individuals participating in sports and learning from the world of
competition and discipline.
“I grew up
in Queens. The best thing that ever happened to me was not going to a [Nick]
Bollettieri-style camp. I would’ve quit the game at 16 or 17. I love to play
other sports,” said the American.
“All
studies show, both physically and mentally, it’s healthier for kids to play
other sports. This idea that you’ve got to go all in in soccer or basketball is
a bunch of, can you say bull***t on this, it’s total BS.”
“The truth
is, what I base my beliefs on and what this academy is all about, that you
should play other sports and you should come to this a little later. Tennis
players are peaking later than they ever did,” McEnroe added.
“I think
college is an experience that not only do you get to play as a team potentially
if you’re in a sport, but you get to grow up a little bit and also have some
fun before you work your way into a profession, and you’ll be more prepared to
handle it. So I completely disagree with what they do most often.”
“For every
person you hear that succeeds, there’s a million that don’t. Not everyone’s
Carlos Alcaraz, he’s one in a billion. He’s just a freak. He’s an incredible
player, but most kids have no business doing that,” he 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.
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