Carlos Alcaraz reveals fatigue as former number 2 reacts to statements.

Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish tennis prodigy, finds himself at the center of a storm of emotions after a start to the 2026 season that many would consider nothing short of spectacular. However, as the pressure mounts, the young player’s statements reveal a surprising side of his mentality, even prompting a sports icon to question his emotional state.

Alex Corretja, a former world number 2 and two-time Grand Slam finalist, does not hesitate to point out that burnout is a natural consequence of Alcaraz’s meteoric success. “Carlos is having such a tough season that playing against Fonseca in his opening match in Miami – Korda, who had just won a major tournament only two or three weeks ago, a player who has beaten him before, on a court where the ball doesn’t bounce as much and is a bit more humid – might not affect Carlos’s game as much,” Corretja commented to Eurosport. The truth is that the 22-year-old started the year with an impressive victory at the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to complete the Career Grand Slam, followed by a win at the Qatar Open.

However, his unbeaten streak, which reached an impressive 17 consecutive victories, came crashing down in the semifinals of the Indian Wells Open, where he was defeated by Daniil Medvedev. From that point on, his performance began to fluctuate. After a solid opening win at the Miami Open against Joao Fonseca, Alcaraz faced a sudden drop, losing to Sebastian Korda with a score of 3-6, 7-5, 4-6, making it clear that the pressure was weighing on him.

During the match, Alcaraz was heard telling his coaching team at the start of the second set: “I can’t take it anymore, I want to go home now.” In a subsequent press conference, the tennis player admitted that he was considering taking a break to recharge. Corretja, reflecting on these words, was not surprised. “I think it’s natural for Carlos to feel a bit overwhelmed… winning so much is spectacular, but it’s also crushing and exhausting. There is no rest; there is little time to recover,” said Corretja.

As the challenges pile up, Alcaraz frequently mentions the difficulty of having a target on his back, where every opponent raises their level of play when facing the world number one. “I think they are putting together a spectacular schedule because I believe they took their time, but I also think it’s natural that at some point he feels a bit tired and makes a comment about being tired, or not being able to continue, or wanting to go home,” Corretja added.

Corretja’s words reveal not only a concern for Alcaraz’s emotional well-being but also a deep understanding of what it means to be a young prodigy in the highly competitive world of tennis. What is at stake for Carlos Alcaraz is more than titles; it is also his mental health and his ability to cope with the overwhelming expectations that come with it. The future holds much for this young talent, but will he be able to balance the pressure with the necessary rest? The tennis world is watching anxiously.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.