Carlos Alcaraz had a bitter-sweet season in 2024. A rollercoaster as one might say. He added two more Majors to his already glittering resume but, couldn’t stay consistent in the year’s second half. Carlitos countered resistance trying to keep up with the hectic tour calendar while producing noteworthy results and staying healthy. But will schedule be a problem for the Spaniard in 2025 as well? An ex American pro has the answer.

Alcaraz may not have finished the year as No. 1, but not many players are as talented as him. The young Spaniard last performed at the ATP Finals in Turin, where he couldn’t move past the round-robin elimination. Moreover, after arriving for the season-ending event, the 21-year-old lamented the overwhelming touring schedule and noted how the year-long commitment drained him mentally. But, there’s a catch.

According to former American player Steve Johnson, the Spanish sensation won’t have to endure calendar troubles much longer. Unlike his childhood idol, Rafael Nadal, young Carlitos refrains from participating in every ATP 1000 Masters event. Instead, he is focused on advancing his agenda solely on the Grand Slam stage. Logic dictates that his no-show at lower-ranked tournaments can help him avoid physical burnout, something that Rafa couldn’t do, which, ultimately, plagued his career following a series of career-threatening injuries.

During an episode of the ‘Nothing Major’ podcast, Johnson said, “Looking back at Rafael Nadal’s career, someone I’m sure he looked up to quite a bit, he played every tournament and won every Masters series forever but was hurt a lot. I feel like Carlos is doing his schedule strictly to win Slams. He is missing Masters series, he skipped Madrid, or he’s not playing Montreal or whatever, I think his only goal is to win Slams. Maybe I am wrong on that but that is what it feels like his schedule is doing.”

Regardless, the 2024 tour-level calendar did a number on Alcaraz. Consequently, he was prompted to address his concerns with the much-lamented scheduling.

Carlos Alcaraz ‘tired mentally’ after playing draining calendar

Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz was one of many top-tier players who lamented the demanding touring calendar in 2024. After contestants like Stefanos Tsitsipas and WTA star Iga Swiatek put forth their dissatisfaction with the overwhelming event format, the Spaniard had a word to add to their criticism following his unfortunate loss to Norwegian Casper Ruud at the ATP Finals.

During a post-match presser in Turin, Alcaraz said: “I’m tired mentally. A lot of matches, really tight schedule, really demanding year with not too many days off, not too many period of you could rest, you could practice at home. It’s kind of you finish one week or you finish a swing, you only have two or three days off and then you have to go to other tournaments to other part of the world.”

However, he vowed to bring about a positive change in 2025. “I’m much better than last year, but I have to find the way to performance and deliver good tennis being tired mentally.” For now, fans will have to wait and see if the Spaniard can live up to his commitments. The 21-year-old will be next seen in action at the Australian Open, slated to commence on January 14, 2025.