Carlos Alcaraz reveals secret for disconnecting from tennis: ‘I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say it’

After withdrawing from the Madrid Open due to an adductor injury sustained in Barcelona, Carlos Alcaraz has been focusing on his recovery, aiming to return to top physical shape ahead of the Masters 1000 in Rome and, more importantly, Roland Garros. Still, even for him, disconnecting from tennis is sometimes essential — and now, he’s revealed his go-to escape.

Carlos Alcaraz: My Way is a newly released Netflix docuseries that spans three episodes and highlights the young star’s 2024 season, chronicling both his performances on court and his personal life off it.

In the series, the World No. 3 shares that one of his favorite ways to recharge after intense stretches is by escaping to Ibiza with friends, where he lets loose for a few days before returning to the rigors of training and competition.

“I end up going, and they know what I’m going there for,” Carlos says in the series. “In Ibiza, I’m not gonna lie, everything is always about partying and going out. I wanted to go there and get wasted. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say it like that, but I just wanted to cut loose.”

Carlos Alcaraz speaking with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero

The differences between Alcaraz and his coach Ferrero

By Alcaraz’s own estimate, he only gets about two months a year to spend time with his friends and family — a window to unwind and relax. That’s why, whenever the opportunity arises, he doesn’t hesitate to travel with them, even if only briefly, to enjoy himself and shed the weight of being far from a typical 21-year-old.

see also

Carlos Alcaraz sends strong warning to those who call him Rafael Nadal’s successor

However, Alcaraz’s coach and former World No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero isn’t fully convinced that these breaks are ideal for someone competing at the highest level of the sport. “If you go to Ibiza for six days and go out every single night, by the seventh day you’ve done anything but rest,” said the coach. “I think it’s great to disconnect, but some part of your head has to remember that you’re a tennis player.”

These contrasting views between Alcaraz and Ferrero are apparent throughout the series. At one point, Ferrero even states: “His understanding of work and sacrifice is so different from ours. It’s so different that it makes me doubt whether ‘his way’ of doing things will help him become the best in the world.”

Alcaraz enters a pivotal stretch of the season

In 2024, Carlos Alcaraz missed the Rome Open due to injury, but bounced back in time to compete at Roland Garros — where he emerged as champion. One year later, he’s again racing to recover in time for Rome, though his main priority remains performing in France. As he aims to climb back to the top of the ATP rankings, defending the points he earned at Roland Garros last year will be critical — and for that, he’ll need to be at full strength.