At just 22, Carlos Alcaraz has already cemented his status as one of tennis’ greatest young talents – yet even the elite aren’t immune to the emotional toll of online scrutiny.
During a press conference ahead of the 2025 ATP Finals in Turin, Spain’s rising star admitted that while he tries not to take negative social-media comments seriously, some of his losses have hit him harder than he expected.
“You’ll always get negative comments – true fans or haters,” Alcaraz said, acknowledging the reality of public life in modern sport.
While he insisted he doesn’t worry about every remark, he didn’t hide the fact that past defeats made him particularly vulnerable. This admission offers a rare glimpse into the mental game behind the aces and winners.
The Spanish prodigy has frequently lauded his supporters but rarely gone this far into the emotional side of the game.
Alcaraz revealed that after certain losses, the barrage of criticism and doubt on social-media affected him more than he liked to admit-and drove him to reassess his approach and mindset.
The openness is significant: a major champion showing human vulnerability in an era where athletes are increasingly measured by their mental resilience as much as their physical ability.
The hidden battle of fame and performance
While Alcaraz‘s statements may sound familiar to many athletes, the context makes his acknowledgment particularly noteworthy. He’s actively battling for year-end No. 1 and carries the weight of expectation both as Spain’s heir to tennis greatness and a global sporting figure.
The digital world, meanwhile, amplifies every shortcoming and turns sporting defeat into public spectacle. This is not just about upsets – it’s about identity, criticism and how one processes perceived failure under a microscope.
As Alcaraz prepares to face tough opponents in Turin, his focus appears stronger than ever. He’s already expressed intent to improve his mental game, reduce keyboard distractions and anchor his identity in process over outcome.
Whether this mental reset shows up in his on-court performance next week remains to be seen – but one thing is clear: Carlos Alcaraz understands the challenge of dealing with loss in the age of social media, and he’s tackling it head-on.
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