Jimmy Connors found some similarities between a young Carlos Alcaraz and a young Rafael Nadal as both have dealt with injuries.
Injuries are not the only thing similar between them because they are both tremendous tennis players and they play very physically. Both of them put a lot of strain on their bodies and that's something that could be a negative further down the road. Nadal did a really solid job avoiding that but that doesn't guarantee that Alcaraz will be equally lucky.
Takes me back a little bit cause he is young, he's nineteen or twenty years old and you know now this is the time, he should take advantage of being physically fit and young. But having said that, it is easy being said, but he does put a lot of strain on his body the way he moves and goes after every ball. I can identify with that, just like Nadal can, and the pressure that puts on you, mentally and physically.
But coming up with injuries at such a young age, if he (Carlos Alcaraz) is facing that now, what's it gonna be like a couple of years on the road? You know, I dont know what post traumatic stress is, I know about hip replacements and knee surgeries and all that but I don't know about that (post-tarumatic arthritis).
Connors was known was a player who also gives his all on a tennis court. McEnroe famously said that nobody tries as hard as Connors during a match so he can understand where Alcaraz is coming from. It's what makes great players great but a balance is needed.
I mean yeah, when you're out there you give it your 110% on every shot, on every point and that can affect you in a lot of ways. But on the other hand, I can say this because I had them myself and that's why you get paid the big bucks to be in shape. But I am also going to say this: Four tournaments in a row and winning them like [Carlos Alcaraz], that is a lot.
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