Carlos Alcaraz believes overcoming his mental barriers has unlocked the confidence needed to pursue a historic third consecutive Wimbledon title.
The 22-year-old Spaniard begins his title defence on Centre Court on Monday against Italy’s Fabio Fognini, aiming to join the exclusive club of players who have won three successive Wimbledon titles in the Open Era—a feat previously achieved by only Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz returns to the All England Club riding a career-best 18-match winning streak, including victories over Djokovic in the past two Wimbledon finals.
While he is aware of the weight of history, Alcaraz insists he is staying grounded and focused on the task ahead.
“I’m here because I want to win the title. I want to lift the trophy,” he told reporters on Saturday. “I’m not thinking about how many players have won three Wimbledons in a row. I just want to be ready, to prepare in the best way possible.”
“Of course, I feel confident right now, but two weeks is a long time in a Grand Slam. I’m not distracted by talk of records or history—I’m focused on each match, one step at a time.”
Alcaraz’s preparations received a major boost with his second successive title at Queen’s Club, a testament to his growing prowess on grass. That triumph followed a dominant clay-court campaign, culminating in a dramatic comeback win over world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the French Open final, where he rallied from two sets down and saved three match points.
With titles in Rome, Monte Carlo, and Roland Garros under his belt, Alcaraz’s last defeat came in April against Holger Rune in the Barcelona final. He attributes his electric form to a fearless mindset.
“When I’m not overthinking—just enjoying the game and playing with freedom—I always bring out my best tennis,” he said. “That sense of freedom is probably the strongest it’s ever been for me right now.”
Alcaraz, who thrives when mentally relaxed, balanced his intense preparation with moments of calm, including a round of golf with former champion Andy Murray and dinners out in central London.
“For me, feeling good off the court is just as important as on it,” he said. “If I’m not happy or comfortable in my environment, I’m not going to play well. But I feel great here. It’s special to be back as the defending champion.”
Reflecting on his Wimbledon journey, Alcaraz added: “It’s beautiful to think about what happened last year. Now, I’m just excited to start the tournament again. Let’s see how far I can go.”
AFP
