Carlos Alcaraz opens up about difficulties of dating as a tennis pro, reveals he has been single for last 18 months

Carlos Alcaraz is arguably the biggest name among rising tennis stars and has already tasted significant success. However, as his profession demands, the youngster has not been able to enjoy the relatively simpler aspects of life as most people his age do. He recently revealed that he has been single for the last 18 months, with all of his focus being on tennis alone.

The Spaniard enjoyed a phenomenal season last year, as he won five singles titles, including two Masters tournaments and his maiden Grand Slam title — the US Open. At the age of just 19, he became the youngest ATP player to become the World No. 1.

For his mesmerizing achievements in 2022, Alcaraz was recently nominated for the Laureus World Sports Awards in the Breakthrough of the Year category. He stands alongside 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina as far as this distinction is concerned.

Until some time ago, the World No. 2 was rumored to be dating an aspiring professional tennis player, Maria Gonzalez Gimenez. However, speaking to Vogue, he stated that he has been single for the last 18 months.

Alcaraz added that the biggest challenge for professional sportspeople was constantly travelling around the world. This makes it difficult for them to spend time with their partners.

“It’s complicated, never staying in one place. It’s hard to find a person who can share things with you if you’re always in different parts of the world," Alcaraz said.

The 19-year-old Spaniard also remarks that he likes to lead a simple life and is not too brand-oriented. Since he is still young, his father looks after his financial matters.

“Well, my father takes care of it. I’m quite young and I’ve got my whims, but I’m very natural, normal, and humble. I don’t really pay much attention to brands and cars. If I like something, I try to buy it, but in the end, my father takes care of everything," he added.

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Carlos Alcaraz loves chess, finds it similar to tennis in many ways

Carlos Alcaraz during the 2023 Rio Open

One of Carlos Alcaraz's favorite things to do, apart from tennis, is playing chess. He loves how the two games are similar to each other, as the player has to anticipate what his opponent is going to do next.

“I love chess. Having to concentrate, to play against someone else, strategy, having to think ahead. I think all of that is very similar to the tennis court," Carlos Alcaraz said. "You have to intuit where the other player is going to send the ball, you have to move ahead of time and try to do something that will make him uncomfortable. So I play it a lot.”

The 2023 Argentina Open champion is currently in Brazil to defend his title at the ATP 500 Rio Open.