It’s not easy being one of the best tennis players in the world—at least not during the week leading up to the US Open’s main draw, when players are the main characters in their sponsors’ parties and events all over the city. On Friday night, five-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz was part of a big contingent of players, including Cameron Norrie, Sofia Kenin, Alex Eala, and Felix Auger Aliassime, at the South Street Seaport for a party thrown by Racquet magazine and Babolat to celebrate the latter company’s 150th anniversary.
We got a few minutes with Alcaraz to ask him about the hectic week—and about his plan of attack for facing the 6’11” American Reilly Opelka, who’s capable of hitting 140 m.p.h. serves, in his first-round match later today.
Vogue: Is this the last of your promo-sponsored events that you’re doing, or you have more?
Carlos Alcaraz: I mean, the Grand Slam is always busy with all the brands and sponsors, but it’s normal that they want to have their time. But I think I’m done—this is the last one.
Do you burn some sage or do you have a ceremonial thing where you get to shut off the sponsors and just do tennis?
No, I just do it in my mind. I just think, like: Okay, this is the last one. From tomorrow on, I’m just going to be focused on the tournament, on practicing and the matches.
Do people recognize you on the street?
Yeah, a lot. I think this year even more.
Do you play other sports?
I try to. I mean, I play golf.
Oh right—you actually play a lot of golf, don’t you?
[Laughing.] A lot of golf, yeah. It just depends on how I feel physically. But I love to play padel as well. Soccer, I cannot play—it’s really demanding and it’s tricky for tennis players.
You’re Spanish—do you watch MotoGP?
I mean, obviously, yes! I follow Marc Márquez [eight-time world champion], and he’s crushing it this season—his form this season is insane.
Your pre-open preparations, in terms of your game: anything different? Are you working on a stroke, a new strategy, or will this be the same Carlos we saw last year?
It is the same Carlos, but I’ve got to improve a few things if I want to stay at the top of the game for a long time.
Anything in particular? Certainly people have noted that your level can sometimes be a little inconsistent—but is that something that you can work on?
I mean, yes—it’s something that I’m working on. There are also some more specific things that I’m working on, but I won’t tell you about that. [Laughs.] But, yeah—a lot of players have noticed my ups and downs in matches and it’s something that I’m working on.
I’ve heard you speak before about the importance of getting away from the game. Obviously, we’re in a Grand Slam now, and it’s a different time. But after this, or after the ATP Finals, do you still believe you’re a better player, a better Carlos, when you’re living your life and you’re free to have fun and travel and go to Ibiza or wherever with your friends?
Yeah—absolutely. I think I’ve already seen that every time that I was able to go somewhere else with my friends just to switch off my mind, this made me stronger when I came back to the court, hungry for more. I just realized that I need this time away, and I think I’ve found the people to do it with. When I do it right, it is great for the game.
You have a big trip planned for the end of the season already?
Yeah—I already know where I’m going to go, but obviously it’s going to be secret.
You’re ready for Reilly Opelka and his serve? You’ve done your research and watched video and that kind of thing?
Yeah, I mean, I actually do—I watch videos of my opponents, try to watch matches to see some things about them. I like to study them.
How do you return his serve?
I don’t know. To be honest, I will figure it out on Monday.
This conversation has been edited for clarity.
