“His team needs to focus less on the money and more on titles”: Boris Becker urges Carlos Alcaraz to rethink priorities

Boris Becker warns Carlos Alcaraz to focus on titles and avoid too many exhibitions. The young Spaniard is gearing up for his first challenge of the season at the Australian Open, where he could become the youngest player to achieve a Career Grand Slam.

The German six-time Grand Slam champion described Carlitos as “a true artist” on the court but advised him to focus on titles and rankings after a 2024 filled with exhibitions.

Several players, including Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz, have criticised the demanding ATP and WTA schedules. However, the Spaniard participated in several exhibitions in 2024, earning substantial sums.

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Alcaraz faces Becker’s tough advice

In March, Alcaraz competed in the Netflix Slam alongside Rafael Nadal, followed by the Laver Cup in September and the Six Kings Slam in October. After the season ended with the Davis Cup Finals, Alcaraz also travelled to the USA, playing two exhibitions in Las Vegas and Charlotte on December 4 and 6.

In the latest episode of Becker Petkovic, a podcast hosted by the legendary three-time Wimbledon champion and Andrea Petkovic, Becker suggested Alcaraz should refocus his career and reduce exhibition matches. “He had a bad tournament schedule in 2024 because he played far too much,” the former World No. 1 said.

“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,” Becker added.

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“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,” Becker concluded.

Alcaraz has decided not to play any tournaments before the Australian Open but will participate in two charity exhibitions at Rod Laver Arena this week. On Wednesday, January 8, he will face World No. 8 Alex De Minaur at Rod Laver Arena, followed by another exhibition on Friday against 2024 Canadian Open champion Alexei Popyrin.

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