Becker demands Alcaraz is ‘protected’ amid | Sports News

Boris Becker has suggested rising tennis star Carlos Alcaraz to do not forget that “this isn’t a sprint, your life is a marathon”, expressing concern over the younger participant’s bodily and emotional wellbeing.

The 22-year-old Spaniard has had a rollercoaster yr in 2025, clinching his first indoor hardcourt title on the ABN AMRO Open and triumphing on the Monte-Carlo Masters. However, he fell short of the semi-finals on the Australian Open, Qatar Open, and Miami Open, and was pressured to withdraw from the Madrid Open as a result of leg accidents.

The fluctuating performances have drawn consideration from followers and critics alike, all involved about Alcaraz’s mental state because the tennis season continues. Among these voicing issues is Becker, who has inspired the younger participant to take stock of his achievements to date.

Becker, a three-time Wimbledon champion and Olympian, shared his ideas with retired WTA star Andrea Petkovic after Alcaraz revealed he contemplated taking a break from tennis following his first-round loss in Miami.

In his podcast, the 57 yr previous German tennis legend stated: “We’re talking about a 21-year-old who couldn’t cope with the expectations and the pressure anymore. We’re talking about mental health. Someone like that almost reached the point of depression.”

“So those around him have to ask themselves-haven’t we done something wrong? Demanding too much of such a young player? He almost has to act like a machine… it’s hard to say no.

“We have to guard Carlos from himself. But the purpose is that you may see that he is overexerting himself, he does an excessive amount of, and I actually hope that whether or not it is his coach or his supervisor or his father, they need to (talk), as a result of we nonetheless need him in ten years.”

Highlighting Alcaraz’s immense popularity and box office draw, Becker pointed out that the Spaniard can’t possibly play every week.

He shared a personal anecdote from their meeting at the Laureus Awards in April, where he cautioned Alcaraz, “This is not a dash, your life is a marathon,” to which the two-time Wimbledon champion replied with a smile, “You’re proper. Talk to my people.”

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This telling response suggests that the onus lies squarely with the experienced team surrounding Alcaraz, as they play a significant role in guiding his preparations for tournaments. Becker’s concerns are grounded in his own experiences of similar pressures throughout his tennis career.

The Olympic gold medallist reflected on his own experiences at a young age: “I used to be additionally in that part after I was 21-22 , whenever you’re not doing it out of your coronary heart, you are operating from one dedication to the subsequent, and the contracts are very high paying, and the tournaments have signed contracts, which suggests you might be contractually sure and solely an damage can prevent.

“But that is not how it should be, which is why I was worried for him. I hope he will be fit again in time to defend his title at Roland Garros.”

As Alcaraz works on his comeback from muscular accidents hoping to be prepared for the French Open on May 25, Becker’s remark underscores the significance of athletes taking the required time to heal and develop at a sustainable charge.