It’s not easy being one of the best tennis players in the world—at least not during the week leading up to the US Open’s main draw, when players are the main characters in their sponsors’ parties and events all over the city. On Friday night, five-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz was part of a big contingent of players, including Cameron Norrie, Sofia Kenin, Alex Eala, and Felix Auger Aliassime, at the South Street Seaport for a party thrown by Racquet magazine and Babolat to celebrate the latter company’s 150th anniversary.
We got a few minutes with Alcaraz to ask him about the hectic week—and about his plan of attack for facing the 6’11” American Reilly Opelka, who’s capable of hitting 140 m.p.h. serves, in his first-round match later today.
Vogue: Is this the last of your promo-sponsored events that you’re doing, or you have more?
Carlos Alcaraz: I mean, the Grand Slam is always busy with all the brands and sponsors, but it’s normal that they want to have their time. But I think I’m done—this is the last one.
Do you burn some sage or do you have a ceremonial thing where you get to shut off the sponsors and just do tennis?
No, I just do it in my mind. I just think, like: Okay, this is the last one. From tomorrow on, I’m just going to be focused on the tournament, on practicing and the matches.
Do people recognize you on the street?
Yeah, a lot. I think this year even more.
Do you play other sports?
I try to. I mean, I play golf.
Oh right—you actually play a lot of golf, don’t you?
[Laughing.] A lot of golf, yeah. It just depends on how I feel physically. But I love to play padel as well. Soccer, I cannot play—it’s really demanding and it’s tricky for tennis players.
You’re Spanish—do you watch MotoGP?
I mean, obviously, yes! I follow Marc Márquez [eight-time world champion], and he’s crushing it this season—his form this season is insane.
Your pre-open preparations, in terms of your game: anything different? Are you working on a stroke, a new strategy, or will this be the same Carlos we saw last year?
