**Carlos Alcaraz’s Revelations Spark Calls to Leave Tennis Amidst Pressures and Personal Struggles**
Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz may be celebrating a triumphant run at Roland Garros, but matters off the court have brought fresh scrutiny to his career and well-being. As the 22-year-old, currently defending his French Open title, stormed into the semi-finals with a commanding win against American Tommy Paul (6-0, 6-1, 6-4), recent personal confessions have sparked a broader debate about the cost of elite sport.
In a candid admission featured in a Netflix documentary released earlier this year, Alcaraz described how the demands of professional tennis have left him feeling “enslaved to the sport”. The player did not shy away from detailing the intense anxiety, frustration, and doubts he has experienced, despite his rapid ascent and growing trophy collection, which includes two Wimbledon titles and victories at the US and French Opens.
Alcaraz’s openness about the psychological toll of constant competition has ignited discussion among sports figures and fans alike. During the documentary, he expressed a desire to maintain a healthy balance between his career and personal life—a challenge compounded by the relentless schedule that comes with top-tier tennis. Notably, Alcaraz revealed he had joined friends for a party trip to Ibiza shortly before returning to defend his Wimbledon crown, acknowledging the need for occasional escape. “I ended up going. In Ibiza, I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty much all about partying and going out. I basically went there to ‘reventar’—to let loose,” he explained.
This forthrightness has drawn mixed responses within the sport. Toni Nadal, uncle and long-time coach to tennis legend Rafael Nadal, weighed in with a strikingly blunt opinion on the Nude Project podcast. While admitting he had not seen the documentary himself, Nadal suggested that if the pressure of professional tennis is too overwhelming for Alcaraz, perhaps it would be time for the young star to consider a different path. “If it is too much for him, then he should quit tennis,” Nadal stated, adding that people often exaggerate the sacrifices involved in sports. “Life is about making choices, not just doing what I want.”
Despite those sharp comments, Nadal was quick to acknowledge Alcaraz’s exceptional talent and impact on the sport, clarifying he hoped the Spaniard would continue to accept the inevitable challenges that come with a life at the top. Nadal further commented, “I don’t talk about sacrifices—what you do for yourself is the price you pay, not a sacrifice. Alcaraz, by being great, pays this price, but he is also rewarded with far more than most young people can expect: financial rewards, social recognition, unique experiences.”
Alcaraz’s struggles are not solely confined to the pressure cooker of tennis. The documentary and recent interviews have revealed complications in his romantic life, caused in part by the constant travel that comes with an elite tennis schedule. Speaking on the Molusco TV podcast, the world number one confirmed he is currently single. “It can be difficult for a tennis player to meet the right person, because they are always on the move,” he reflected, hinting at the unique loneliness that can accompany a globetrotting career. Rumours have previously linked Alcaraz to Maria Gonzalez Gimenez, a sports marketing and law graduate, and even other high-profile names such as singer Ana Mena and fellow tennis star Emma Raducanu, but none have materialised into a stable partnership.
He continued: “No, no, no commitments for now, I’m single. I’ve laughed with people close to me, seeing so many other players get engaged over the winter break—I thought it might be my turn, but not yet. It’s complicated. You’re never in the same place, and it’s hard to find someone who understands that.”
These personal revelations present a more nuanced portrait of life at the summit of international tennis, where victories and titles may be balanced by mental burdens and isolation. While Alcaraz’s achievements continue to dazzle fans, they also serve as a reminder of the human realities behind athletic greatness—a point that supporters and critics alike are now being compelled to confront.
As Alcaraz prepares for his semi-final showdown against Lorenzo Musetti, attention remains as fixed on his mindset as his forehand. Whether he can translate his forthrightness about personal struggle into continued resilience on court may shape not just this tournament, but the very trajectory of his career.