David Ferrer, the former ATP legend, recently commented on Carlos Alcaraz’s early-round exit from the US Open, stating that when a player loses, everything tends to be dramatized. For Alcaraz, this unexpected result came as a shock, especially considering his consistent performance throughout the season. Ranked World No. 3, Alcaraz had an impressive run this year, claiming victories at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and earning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Despite these notable accomplishments, Ferrer pointed out that there is something missing in Alcaraz’s approach, a critical element the young Spaniard needs to address in his game.
Ferrer, Alcaraz’s compatriot and someone who understands the pressures of high-level tennis, identified this missing piece after Alcaraz’s surprising defeat. In sports, winning and losing are inevitable, but Ferrer emphasized that a vital phase between these two outcomes involves the ability to rest, learn, and lose gracefully. According to Ferrer, after Alcaraz’s long string of successes, the need to take a step back and recover was becoming crucial. Following his defeat at the US Open, Ferrer explained how Alcaraz requested time off to rest and reset, and Ferrer fully supported the decision. “He asked for a rest, to reset himself. I complied with all that, and I am completely calm,” Ferrer explained in an interview with Sportsklub on September 10th. His willingness to grant Alcaraz this break was due to the understanding that even though Alcaraz constantly pushes himself, the process of learning and losing is necessary for long-term success.
Ferrer highlighted how some fans and observers outside the tennis world often expect top players to win all the time. But the reality, as Ferrer emphasized, is that no player can achieve perfection. “Even Rafa, Roger, and Novak, the best in history, couldn’t win every match,” he noted. Alcaraz, following a highly successful clay and grass season, had many people hopeful that he could secure a hard-court title after his early Australian Open exit. But, as Ferrer pointed out, it’s unrealistic to expect even the best players to win every match, and this expectation only adds pressure.
This sentiment mirrors what Roger Federer once said during his graduation speech at Dartmouth University. Federer shared that out of the 1,526 matches he played during his professional career, he only won 80% of them and captured just 54% of the points. His words highlighted the imperfection in even the most successful careers. Like Federer, Ferrer believes Alcaraz must accept that even top players need time to rest and recover. This may be what was missing for Alcaraz.
Alcaraz had a major victory over Novak Djokovic at the 2024 Wimbledon final, but the tables turned at the Paris Olympics, where Djokovic defeated Alcaraz. Following these back-to-back intense competitions, Alcaraz’s emotional reaction during his US Open semi-final loss to Daniil Medvedev became another pivotal moment. His frustration was evident when he smashed his racquet on the court, something tennis fans also saw during his defeat by Gael Monfils at the 2024 Cincinnati Open. These incidents underscored the emotional and physical toll of his packed schedule. Hence, Alcaraz’s decision to take a break after the US Open, as Ferrer mentioned, was likely influenced by these difficult losses.
In the past, Alcaraz had spoken about the importance of taking short breaks to refresh himself. After his French Open win, he went on a brief vacation to Ibiza with close friends, emphasizing the importance of not becoming a slave to the sport. “Little getaways to Ibiza are fundamental and necessary to come back to the court with batteries charged,” Alcaraz had said. His approach shows that he understands the importance of balance in his career, and after a grueling summer of tennis, the US Open defeat may have further reinforced the need for rest and recovery.
Ferrer believes that while Alcaraz will undoubtedly continue to dominate the tennis world, his ability to maintain longevity and sustain success will depend on taking the necessary steps back from time to time. To achieve this, Alcaraz needs to recognize the demanding nature of the tennis circuit and adapt his approach, much like how other legends of the sport, such as Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, have done throughout their careers. Ultimately, with strategic breaks and a focus on recovery, Alcaraz can come back stronger, ready to compete at the highest level.
As Alcaraz prepares for the upcoming Davis Cup, this lesson in resting and regrouping may be a pivotal one, helping him recalibrate for future challenges.
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