"I’m scared of failure" - admits Alcaraz after US Open triumph
ATP
Carlos Alcaraz might be a successful tennis player already as a teenager, but that doesn't mean that he's not afraid of anything.
The 19-year-old Spaniard looks fearless on the tennis courts. It was that fearless nature that led him to his first Grand Slam title at the 2022 US Open. Thanks to his win in New York, Alcaraz also became the youngest man to reach the World No. 1 spot.
Although he was practically a global superstar already before he triumphed at Flushing Meadows, the interest in Alcaraz massively grew after his US Open win.
After beating Casper Ruud in the final of the tournament, Alcaraz spoke to ATPTour.com about many different topics. He admitted that he doesn't feel special despite his incredible achievements.
"I’m not special, and nobody said I was going to be the best. I’ve worked for it."
Alcaraz was also asked what he was scared of. He might not be scared of the things that most are scared of, like heights and spiders, but he's scared of failing and letting people down.
"Honestly, I’m scared of failure. That’s probably one of my fears. Letting a lot of people down."
"Not being up to their expectations. Although I’ve won a Grand Slam or now I’m No. 1 in the world, there will probably be tournaments in which there are expectations, and I can’t meet them."
"Above all, letting down the people around me. In terms of everyone else, there are a lot of people who think and have opinions, but I’m talking about those that are close to me. That’s the thing I’m most scared of."
At the moment, no one has won more Grand Slam titles among men than Rafael Nadal. The legendary Spaniard has 22 major titles to his name.
Thanks to his incredible success, Alcaraz was asked whether he's thinking about matching Nadal. Humbly, he said that he knows he's too far at the moment.
"I’ll always be proud when Rafa wins Grand Slams and obviously if I lose at a Grand Slam, I’ll always be supporting a Spaniard. I’ve won one, I don’t feel closer, I’ve got 21 to go."
"For now, I’m going to think about trying to get the second, which very few people have managed, that’s my goal."
