“When I got to the top, I struggled” – Carlos Alcaraz makes honest admission about Grand Slam winner blues & Wimbledon breakthrough
Carlos Alcaraz, the World No. 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion, offered a candid glimpse into the challenges he faced after soaring to the top of men’s tennis, admitting, “When I got to the top, I struggled.” In an interview on June 24, 2025, ahead of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, where he is the two-time defending champion, the 22-year-old Spaniard opened up about the mental and physical toll of his rapid rise and how his Wimbledon triumphs marked a pivotal breakthrough.
Alcaraz’s journey to stardom began with his 2022 US Open title at age 19, propelling him to become the youngest men’s World No. 1 in ATP history. Yet, the weight of expectations quickly became a burden. “After the US Open, I was the No. 1, and I felt the pressure to keep winning,” he confessed. Physical setbacks, including a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the 2023 Australian Open and severe cramps during a 2023 French Open semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic, tested his resilience. Mentally, he grappled with self-doubt, admitting, “I couldn’t find my style. It was a really difficult period after Wimbledon last year.”
His 2023 Wimbledon victory over Djokovic in a thrilling five-set final (1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4) proved transformative. “Winning Wimbledon was the breakthrough,” Alcaraz said. “It gave me confidence that I could compete with the best on any surface.” The win, his second major, highlighted his adaptability on grass, a surface where he had played just four tournaments prior. He solidified his grass-court dominance with a second Wimbledon title in 2024, defeating Djokovic in straight sets (6-2, 6-2, 7-6), and added a French Open crown in 2024, becoming the youngest man to win majors on all three surfaces at 21.
Alcaraz’s openness about his “Grand Slam winner blues” sheds light on the pressures young champions face. “It’s not easy to stay at the top,” he said. “You have to keep working, keep learning.” His resilience shone through in his recent French Open victory over Jannik Sinner in a dramatic five-set final, where he saved three championship points. Now on an 18-match win streak and boasting a perfect 5-0 record in Grand Slam finals, Alcaraz is poised to chase history at Wimbledon, aiming to join Bjorn Borg and Roger Federer with three consecutive titles.
Fresh off a Queen’s Club victory, Alcaraz credits his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and family for keeping him grounded. “They remind me to enjoy the game,” he said. As he prepares to defend his Wimbledon crown starting June 30, 2025, Alcaraz’s focus is unwavering: “I want to keep building my path to sit at the table with the big guys.” His journey, marked by struggles and triumphs, underscores his potential to redefine tennis’ elite
