Carlos Alcaraz is an incredibly popular tennis player, but at such a young age, it might not be only a good thing.
Becoming the youngest ATP World No. 1 in the history of the sport, winning four Grand Slam titles and five ATP Masters 1000 titles, and doing all of that before turning 22 while playing electrifying tennis is what drew so many eyeballs to the young Spaniard.
Alcaraz is the name in tennis right now, even though Jannik Sinner is the reigning World No. 1 and was voted the Fans' Favorite in 2024. The Italian's popularity can't be disputed, but the hype that his young rival can generate is insane.
Unfortunately for Alcaraz, that comes at a cost. He might be the most exciting player to watch, but that also means that everyone wants to watch them, and not only those attending Grand Slams.
Because of that, everyone seems to be throwing money at the 21-year-old from Murcia to attend various events, especially exhibition matches.
In 2024, he played at the Laver Cup. He was one of the players participating in the Six Kings Slam. Alcaraz also played in two exhibition matches after the season ended.
While all of that certainly earned him millions of dollars, which he can add to almost $10 million earned in prize money in 2024 and many more millions that he earned thanks to sponsorship, it also certainly drained him, both physically and mentally.
Former World No. 1, Andy Roddick, knows what it feels like to be in the spotlight. As a former American tennis star, he knows it maybe even better than Alcaraz, and that's why he wants to help him.
On the recent episode of his Served with Andy Roddick tennis podcast, the 42-year-old player advised the young Spaniard, suggesting he must learn to say no to so many opportunities.
"I think Carlos is fully aware of what he is today. He is one of the biggest stars in world sport. Right now, he is the celebrity of celebrities wherever he goes."
"I think people are eager to see him, and he is still at a stage where he does not want to disappoint anyone. It is a difficult situation but he is going to have to learn to say no."
Roddick compared Alcaraz's level of fame to the Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. According to him, that's how appreciated the Spaniard is around the world.
"There are only three people – Federer, Nadal and Djokovic – who have had this level of fame. There is a magnetism about him that everyone appreciates. It is not often that you see this level of fame."
At the same time, Roddick thinks that Alcaraz must be more selfish and prioritize himself and his career over saying yes to every offer that he gets.
"He was probably exhausted and wanted to go home, but he does not say no to anyone. He has to be a little more selfish. I do not think he can be everything to everyone at the same time."