Carlos Alcaraz during an off-court moment
Carlos Alcaraz made a candid confession about his 2024 season that surprised two American tennis stars.
The Spanish star revealed he faced a “complicated time” in the clay-court season as he is “not used to dealing with so many injuries.”
Alcaraz suffered an ankle injury that forced him to retire at the Rio Open, a clay-court ATP 500 tournament, in February.
The 21-year-old bounced back by winning the Indian Wells Masters and reaching the Miami Open quarter-finals in March.
Alcaraz then missed three of his four scheduled European clay events prior to the French Open — in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome — due to a right arm injury.
Despite his injury-hit preparations, Alcaraz secured his first Roland Garros crown in June. He then defended his Wimbledon title the following month and secured a silver medal at the Paris Olympics in August.
Alcaraz ended the 2024 campaign as the world No 3 after claiming four titles — with his last triumph of the year coming at the China Open in October.
Alcaraz was beaten by Frances Tiafoe in the the Charlotte Invitational exhibition on Sunday.
Speaking in a press conference before the exhibition event, Alcaraz reflected on his season.
“I’m not used to dealing with so many injuries, and this year was a complicated time for me when I faced the clay season, but I ended it up good,” the four-time Grand Slam champion said.
“But at the same time, I look back and I think I did have a pretty good season. I’m really proud of what I did to overcome the problems that I had and the doubts that I had.
“In general, I’m just happy with everything that I’ve learned this season and hopefully in 2025 I can try to copy or do even better.”
Alcaraz’s “complicated” comment seemed to confuse 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens, who also played in Charlotte.
“Really? Tell us about it (laughing),” Stephens said
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Tiafoe also weighed in, saying: “Tough winning two majors. I hope you don’t have a season like that again.”
