"Carlos Alcaraz should be allowed to live life a little" - Boris Becker backs Spaniard's Italian Grand Prix appearance after shock US Open defeat

Boris Becker recently expressed his support for Carlos Alcaraz attending the 2024 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Italy following his unexpected loss in the second round of the 2024 US Open. Alcaraz's best result at the New York Major was in 2022 when he clinched the title by defeating Casper Ruud 6–4, 2–6, 7–6(1), 6–3 in the final.

Alcaraz has had a brilliant season, claiming titles at the Indian Wells Masters, the French Open, the Wimbledon Championships, and most recently earning a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

At the 2024 US Open, Alcaraz was seeded third and began the tournament with a win 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 over Australian qualifier Li Tu. However, his run at Flushing Meadows ended after a loss to Botic van de Zandschulp 1-6, 5-7, 4-6 in the second round.

After his time in New York, Carlos Alcaraz was spotted enjoying the Formula 1 race in Monza. Matteo Berrettini, who also experienced a second-round defeat in the 2024 US Open, was also in attendance at the Italian Grand Prix.

German tennis legend Boris Backer recently took to X and reacted to Alcaraz's downtime at the Grand Prix, stating that the Spaniard should be allowed to "live" and enjoy his life a little.

"Carlos [Alcaraz] should be allowed to live life a little… Vamos !"

Alcaraz had expressed disappointment over his performance at the year's final Major.

---

Carlos Alcaraz on his US Open 2R loss: "Hadn't thought demanding matches so close together could affect me"

Carlos Alcaraz [Source: Getty]

While speaking to the press after his second-round loss at the 2024 US Open, Carlos Alcaraz said he has taken several steps back mentally.

"I feel that, instead of taking steps forward, I've gone backward in terms of mindset. I came from a spectacular summer, saying that mentally I had taken steps forward, but I get to this part of the tour, and I take steps back." [translated from Spanish]

"Mentally, I'm not well, not strong. This is a problem. I want to talk to my people and see what steps we take next . I hadn't thought about all the demanding matches being so close together and how that could affect me," he added.

Last year, Alcaraz had reached the semifinals at the US Open before falling to third seed and eventual runner-up Daniil Medvedev 6-7(3), 1-6, 6-3, 3-6 in the semifinals.