Monte Carlo, April 15, 2025 — As the European clay court season kicks into high gear, Carlos Alcaraz has made one thing clear — he’s no longer paying attention to outside expectations.
Following a confident performance in Monte Carlo, the 21-year-old Spaniard addressed the growing pressure placed on him by fans and media alike. With major tournaments looming in Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros, Alcaraz is widely viewed as a favorite. But he’s choosing to shift his focus inward.
“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a tough couple of months,” Alcaraz admitted. “A lot of people expect me to win almost every tournament. That’s hard to manage.”
Instead of giving in to that pressure, Alcaraz says he’s learned to filter out the noise. That’s not all, he further talked about how the biggest lesson of his life has been to first think about himself and filter out the unwanted noise.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned recently is to think about myself,” he said. “I only need to listen to my team, my family, my close friends. Whether I win or lose, if I walk off the court feeling happy and proud of what I’ve done, that’s enough.”
The shift in perspective has already had a positive impact. Alcaraz looked calm and composed throughout his Monte Carlo campaign, crediting his mental approach for helping him perform with clarity.
“I think I did that this week — I stayed focused on what really matters — and it paid off,” he said.
Heading into the rest of the clay season, Alcaraz plans to maintain that same mindset. “I’m going to approach every tournament the same way I did here,” he said. “I won’t let outside expectations affect me. I’ll listen to my team and the people who know me best. That’s all that matters to me.”
As pressure builds and titles are on the line, Alcaraz’s decision to block out the noise may prove to be a defining move — one that allows him to play his best tennis, on his own terms.