I am not special, I have worked for it – US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz

 
The World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz feels nothing has been served to him on a platter and he has worked hard for all he has achieved in his young career. Alcaraz was at his best throughout the New York Major and he was able to hold his nerves in the crucial stages of the competition.

The Spaniard saved a match point against Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinal contest in the fourth set. Alcaraz feels he isn’t special and he has gone through bad times to rise through the ranks.

The 19-year-old added he has reaped rewards after working hard in the training sessions with his team.

Carlos Alcaraz said in an interview with ATP Tour, “Nobody gifts you anything, I believe. You don’t just click your fingers and have the world at your feet. You have to work at things. I think what I have achieved, winning a Grand Slam and being No. 1 in the world, is because of the work I’ve been doing with my team for a very long time. It hasn’t been a bed of roses, I’ve had to suffer and go through bad times to get here. I’m not special, and nobody said I was going to be the best, I’ve worked for it.”

The youngster also revealed that he has been working on his mental strength to win the crunch situations of the big game. The Spaniard gave credit to her psychologist Isabel Balaguer for guiding him on the right track.

Alcaraz added, “I’ve been working with a psychologist for two or three seasons, with Isabel Balaguer. She’s a great professional, one of the main reasons I am able to be No. 1 in the world today. I’ve improved so much thanks to her. Having a mental coach is important as tennis is demanding week after week and during a whole year you have to be fresh mentally, you have to cope with the pressure, with everyone watching you and it’s important to be able to handle that. Without a psychologist, I wouldn’t say it’s impossible because nothing is, but it would be far more difficult.”

Carlos Alcaraz has definitely shown the right skills to go a long way in his career and he will look to keep getting better.