"His dad had to take him away from the court because he was crying": Carlos Alcaraz broke so many racquets growing up says former coach after Buenos Aires temper issues
ATP
Former
Carlos Alcaraz coach revealed that the Spaniard used to break rackets and
didn't handle defeat well during his formative years. The 2-times Grand Slam
champion never likes to lose, but according to Kiko Navarro, the frustration
was much greater in his early years.
The coach
spoke about the new documentary "Sky Young Guns. The New Tennis
Titans," which premiered on February 8th and provides an insight into some
of the top young tennis players on the Tour.
The
documentary explores reflections from close associates and coaches who have
worked with Coco Gauff, Holger Rune, Emma Raducanu, and the Spanish player
Alcaraz. One of the most striking revelations came from Kiko Navarro.
"Carlos
never liked to lose. He broke so many rackets. His dad had to take him away
from the court because he was crying. It was something he really had to work on
because he had to keep this energy without it affecting him negatively," Navarro
said.
On the
Tour, it has been rare to see Alcaraz venting his frustration with the racket,
and it was one of the most noticeable moments in his recent defeat against
Chilean Nicolas Jarry in the semifinals of the Argentina Open, where he
couldn't defend his title.
Alcaraz is
going through a patchy period in recent months despite being the world No. 2,
and he has been overshadowed by Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Daniil Medvedev. Alcaraz
hasn't played in a final in the last 6 months, since the Cincinnati Open, a
situation that surely doesn't please him. Between 2022 and 2023, he
played in 15 finals (11 titles, 4 runner-ups).
The
Spaniard will now face the ATP 500 Rio Open, where he reached the final in 2023
but fell to Cameron Norrie, who will again be in the tournament, both being the
top favorites. The current world No. 2 will make his debut against the local
Brazilian Thiago Monteiro (world No. 117).
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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