Carlos Alcaraz 'Needs To Focus Less On Money' Says Six-time Major Champion Becker
News
Boris Becker is a significant admirer of Carlos Alcaraz. However, the three-time Wimbledon champion thinks the Spaniard gives too much attention to making money instead of winning tournaments.
Despite being just 21 years old, Alcaraz may have already established himself as the most watchable tennis player in the world. Novak Djokovic, who beat his younger rival in a practice set before the Australian Open, is the most statistically successful player, but Alcaraz's style is unique.
The former ATP world No. 1 combines incredible athleticism with powerful groundstrokes, drop shots, and a willingness to come to the net to finish points. Some consider his game to be the most complete in the sport.
Alcaraz's popularity means he regularly receives offers to feature in events worldwide for significant sums of money. He and his team decide how many exhibition offers to accept throughout the year.
The four-time Grand Slam champion decided to play in two exhibitions in the U.S. in December. Alcaraz thrilled the fans at Madison Square Garden against fellow young star Ben Shelton, who he defeated in the deciding set.
That was followed by a defeat to an inspired Frances Tiafoe in Charlotte. Alcaraz did not play badly in that match, but Tiafoe showed the ability that makes some believe he has underachieved during his career.
Although Alcaraz's appearance fee for both exhibitions was not revealed, a guest on the Rennae Stubbs Podcast reported that the world No. 3 received between $1 million and $2 million for the exhibition at Madison Square Garden.
While it is hard to begrudge a top athlete using their status to earn a lot of money, questions have been asked about why Alcaraz is playing so many exhibitions, especially after he complained multiple times about the length of the tennis calendar last season.
Former doubles legend Mark Woodforde believes Alcaraz's exhibitions in the U.S. are a red flag. The Australian thinks the young star should have used the off-season to prepare for 2025 instead of getting a payday.
Alcaraz has not hidden how much money means to him. The two-time Wimbledon champion admitted that he played at October's lucrative Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia because of the prize money on offer.
In the first episode of the Becker Petkovic podcast, a new podcast with his compatriot and former French Open semifinalist Andrea Petkovic, the six-time Grand Slam winner outlined his belief that Alcaraz should focus less on earning money.
"He had a bad tournament schedule in 2024 because he played far too much. Carlos is a diva on the court in a positive sense, a true artist. But you can only let him out when it really counts."
"He has to be on fire when he goes on the court. You don’t want to see an average Alcaraz, you want to see someone who is at 100 percent."
"His team needs to focus less on the money and more on titles and the world rankings. Sure, he gets seven-figure appearance fees for show fights in the off-season, but coaches and managers simply have to protect him better."
