Following his Wimbledon 2024 victory, Carlos Alcaraz touched on the vacations he takes after his campaigns. The Spaniard also highlighted the importance of work-life balance.
At SW19, Alcaraz won his second Grand Slam this season after the French Open; his fourth Grand Slam overall. The Spaniard became just the sixth man in Open Era history to do so. One of the reasons the Wimbledon-French Open double feat, also called the Channel Slam, is so rare is because the tournaments are held just three weeks apart, making the clay-to-grass transition considerably challenging.
The tennis world was thus in awe when Carlos Alcaraz bagged the achievement at just 21 years old last week. It is also worth noting that the World No. 3 did not earn the desired result at his first tournament after the French Open, the Queen’s Club Championships, where he was the defending champion. Despite the setback, though, the Spaniard rose to the occasion at the grasscourt Slam, beating repeat opponent Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the title clash.
In a recent interview with Relevo, Carlos Alcaraz was asked how prioritizing his mental health has helped his on-court performances. He was also asked about his trip to Ibiza after the Paris Grand Slam, which at the time allegedly raised a few eyebrows.
In response, the 21-year-old said:
“Well, I am very clear that in the end people also work for something. Not just speaking for myself, but in general. People work to allow themselves certain things and then enjoy them with their people,” he said about his decision to vacation in Ibiza with his friends (translated from Spanish).
Doubling down on his work hard, play hard mantra, Alcaraz said he doesn’t want to feel like a tennis “slave.”
“I am here living a dream, for me it is crazy to be able to play these types of tournaments, to be able to win them, but I also want to have time for myself. I don’t want to feel like a slave to tennis and not have time for myself,” he said.
The Spaniard hinted that his quick Ibiza getaway played an important role in his success at Wimbledon.
“Those little getaways to Ibiza, two or three nights with friends, to enjoy, to have time to rest, to have time for myself, I think it is fundamental and very necessary to then perform and come back to the court with batteries charged.”
Carlos Alcaraz to celebrate Wimbledon 2024 success at home with family and friends
Alcaraz with his parents and brothers at the official Champion’s Photocall – Wimbledon 2024 (Image Source: Getty)
Alcaraz with his parents and brothers at the official Champion’s Photocall – Wimbledon 2024 (Image Source: Getty)
After winning Wimbledon, Carlos Alcaraz affirmed he would keep up his ritual of visiting Ibiza between his Paris and London campaigns.
Last year too, the Spaniard partied on the island after losing the French Open semifinal to Novak Djokovic. Just weeks later, he clinched his maiden Wimbledon title by dethroning the Serb.
“Well, I talked to my friend that I went to Ibiza with. Last year went pretty well, this year as well, so it’s going to be a routine (smiles), you know, every year,” the Spaniard told Tennis Channel.
He, however, said he plans to celebrate his Wimbledon win with some quality time with his family and friends at home.
“I had a few days that I could go, (I) went to Ibiza, this one I’m going to celebrate at home,” Carlos Alcaraz said. “I’m going to stay at home with my friends, my family, but yeah, I will have my days off to celebrate it pretty well.”
The Spaniard will next be in action at the 2024 Paris Olympics (July 27–August 4), which will mark his debut at the event.