“I had so much hate when I lost in Miami” – Carlos Alcaraz reveals how his family helped him rediscover his joy for tennis

On June 22, 2025, after clinching his second Queen’s Club Championships title with a 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2 win over Jiri Lehecka, Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 2, opened up about the emotional toll of his second-round loss to David Goffin at the 2025 Miami Open, per Pro Football Network. Reflecting on the defeat, Alcaraz admitted, “I had so much hate when I lost in Miami. A lot of people started to say, ‘What’s going on with this guy that he just lost in the first round, and he didn’t practice?’” per Tennis365. Instead of intensifying training, Alcaraz chose a five-day vacation in Cancun with his family, a decision that drew criticism but proved pivotal. “That was the key, just to have five, six days off, not grabbing a racquet, not stepping on the court. I just got the joy back, and I started to enjoy playing tennis again,” he said, per Yahoo Sports.

Alcaraz credited his family for helping him reset mentally, allowing him to return with a 27-1-1 record since Miami, including titles at Monte-Carlo, Rome, and the French Open, per Sportskeeda. His father, Carlos, a former tennis player, and mother, Virginia, have been constants, with Alcaraz noting, “My loved ones are always there for me when I need them. They bring me the calm that is necessary,” per Sportskeeda. This support, also highlighted in his Netflix docuseries Carlos Alcaraz: My Way, helped him navigate the pressure of expectations, per ATP Tour. X posts, like @alcarazdaily, echoed his resilience, quoting, “I just got the joy back,” per. Now, with an 18-match winning streak, Alcaraz is a favorite for Wimbledon, starting June 30, per BBC Sport.