Carlos Alcaraz has been in the public eye since he was a teenager, skyrocketing to global stardom after winning his maiden Grand Slam title and becoming the world No. 1 at just 19. While the Spaniard has achieved the kind of tennis success players can only dream of, it has also come at the cost of living a normal life.
Carlos Alcaraz Opens Up About Rejecting Opinions About His Looks
Alcaraz kicked off his 2026 season in spectacular fashion by winning his maiden Australian Open title, becoming the youngest man in history to complete the elusive Career Grand Slam.
While reflecting on his accomplishments in an interview with Vanity Fair, the Spaniard admitted that while he is grateful for the life he has built, he wishes he could enjoy moments of normalcy as a 23-year-old.
“I know I’m living a dream life, a life I dreamed of. But I sometimes wish I could have more moments for myself, to do things a 22-year-old guy would do,” he said.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion has often faced scrutiny for how he chooses to spend his time off the court, but he firmly defended his choices, stressing the importance of looking after his mental well-being.
“Over time, you grow aware of what you need. There’s been times in which I didn’t stop to take a break and that led to me not playing well, or becoming injured, or… Let’s just leave it at that, that it didn’t end well,” he added. “I think it’s just as important, or more, than taking care of your body. There’s people who are, fairly so, obsessed with body aesthetics, but to me it’s just as important to take care of your head.”
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Alcaraz has also regularly faced backlash for his appearance, particularly his hairstyles, from the shaved head he unveiled at last year’s US Open to the blond hair transformation that followed. However, the 23-year-old insisted that while he tries to avoid any major “disasters,” he refuses to let public opinion dictate his decisions.
“Listen, I try for it to not be a disaster, but if there’s something I want to do, I do it. If I were to listen to everyone’s opinion, I’d go crazy, right?” he said.
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Since giving the interview, Carlos Alcaraz has been forced to cut short his clay-court season after sustaining a wrist injury at the Barcelona Open. The world No. 2 will not be in action at this year’s French Open after also missing the ATP Masters 1000 events in Rome and Madrid, forgoing his title defense at the clay-court Major. He is expected to make his comeback during the grass swing.
