“His team needs to focus less on the money and more on titles”: Boris Becker urges Carlos Alcaraz to rethink priorities
ATP
Boris Becker warns Carlos Alcaraz to focus on titles and avoid too many exhibitions. The young Spaniard is gearing up for his first challenge of the season at the Australian Open, where he could become the youngest player to achieve a Career Grand Slam.
The German six-time Grand Slam champion described Carlitos as “a true artist” on the court but advised him to focus on titles and rankings after a 2024 filled with exhibitions.
Several players, including Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz, have criticised the demanding ATP and WTA schedules. However, the Spaniard participated in several exhibitions in 2024, earning substantial sums.
Alcaraz faces Becker’s tough advice
In March, Alcaraz competed in the Netflix Slam alongside Rafael Nadal, followed by the Laver Cup in September and the Six Kings Slam in October. After the season ended with the Davis Cup Finals, Alcaraz also travelled to the USA, playing two exhibitions in Las Vegas and Charlotte on December 4 and 6.
In the latest episode of Becker Petkovic, a podcast hosted by the legendary three-time Wimbledon champion and Andrea Petkovic, Becker suggested Alcaraz should refocus his career and reduce exhibition matches. “He had a bad tournament schedule in 2024 because he played far too much,” the former World No. 1 said.
“Carlos is a diva on the court in a positive sense, a true artist. But you can only let him out when it really counts. He has to be on fire when he goes on the court. You don’t want to see an average Alcaraz; you want to see someone who is at 100 percent,” Becker added.
“His team needs to focus less on the money and more on titles and the world rankings. Sure, he gets seven-figure appearance fees for show fights in the off-season, but coaches and managers simply have to protect him better,” Becker concluded.
Alcaraz has decided not to play any tournaments before the Australian Open but will participate in two charity exhibitions at Rod Laver Arena this week. On Wednesday, January 8, he will face World No. 8 Alex De Minaur at Rod Laver Arena, followed by another exhibition on Friday against 2024 Canadian Open champion Alexei Popyrin.
👋🏻 Melbourne! 🇦🇺 @AustralianOpen
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) January 6, 2025
📸 Getty pic.twitter.com/28EpKGJNve
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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