“I’m focused on going to every tournament, thinking about playing great tennis, doing a good result just to get better in the race”, said Carlos Alcaraz earlier this year. The former world no.1 wanted to end 2024 as no.1 again – sadly it didn’t happen. The two-time Grand Slam champion gave his all this year, participating through as many events possible. Even if it meant pushing himself to limits and being physically exhausted. His on-court struggles at the ATP Finals proved it last month. A former ATP pro has now thrown light on the reason behind Carlos’ fluctuating form, especially towards the end of 2024.

“I tried to forget about not feeling well, I’m sick, and deliver a really good tennis. That’s what good tennis or top players do, even if you’re not feeling good,” Alcaraz said in an official interview post his victory in a match of the ATP Finals against Rublev. During the group stage, he wore a pink strip (nasal dilator) on his nose to prevent snoring and breathe easily. Simply because he was not well that time due to traveling from one place to another on a constant basis, without taking sufficient breaks. Former British player Tim Henman highlighted this aspect in an episode of the Sky Sports Tennis podcast, dated December 9.

He brought up the phase where Alcaraz kept playing non-stop through the French Open, Wimbledon, Paris Olympics, Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open. “Again, going back to that whole story around the Olympics, and you reflect on the summer that he had, I mean, it was just absolutely off the charts to go back to back, Roland Garros champion, Wimbledon champion, and then to be in the gold medal match at the Olympics. I mean, that’s just a lot of tennis physically, emotionally,” he said. Continuing further, he added, “I think in hindsight, perhaps could have managed his schedule a little bit better, probably didn’t need to go to Cincinnati where we saw him absolutely lose his mind, smashing his racket on the court.”

He implied that by the time Carlos reached the US Open, he “didn’t have the energy in the tank. Played exhibitions in the latter part of the year. And to see him at the Tour ending championships where he was actually ill, I think just shows how worn out he was.” “And he’s young, he wants to take advantage of all these opportunities. But I think 2025, for him to learn from that, for the team around him to make sure that he manages his schedule is going to be important,” he concluded. Tim’s clear advise to him and his team is they should plan out the next season wisely. Simply put, there should not be too much load on his body.

But one cannot argue that Carlos’ heroics on the court have helped him make a name. So much so, that he’s earned a place among the Big 3 now, according to former Australian player Pat Cash.

When Pat Cash revealed Carlos Alcaraz is his ‘favorite’

The ex-ATP pro thinks “Alcaraz has everything” that it takes to be a tennis legend. In a media interaction, the former Australian player expressed his honest thoughts on the Spaniard. Especially in terms of his dominance on the court just like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

“I have never seen a tennis player who developed his game so well at such a young age. There are always areas where a lot of improvement can be made at that age, but he is incredibly complete. He is fast as lightning, he can play on any surface and at this moment I would rank him as the favorite in every tournament, along with Jannik Siner,” he said. “Look at Federer. He had to improve his backhand during his career. Or Nadal, who had to improve his volleys. They had to work on those shots throughout their careers,” he added. According to Cash, Carlos Alcaraz looked “already complete when he was 20 years old.”

“I hope that he will continue to enjoy his tennis and not feel burdened,” he concluded. It will be intriguing to see whether Carlos can make a solid comeback in 2025. He will look to make it big in the Australian Open in January. Earlier this year, he couldn’t advance past the QF round against Alexander Zverev. This time, his only goal will be to reach the title clash, lift the trophy, and complete his career slam. Will he succeed in his objective? Only time will tell the answer.