Carlos Alcaraz praised for ‘good kind of life balance’ after French Open celebrations

Carlos Alcaraz has been hailed as the “most popular player” on the ATP Tour by Queen’s Club tournament director Jamie Murray, who backed the Spaniard’s decision to celebrate his French Open triumph.
Alcaraz is set to return to action at Queen’s just over a week after his stunning Roland Garros triumph, where he rallied from two sets to love down to beat Jannik Sinner, saving three championship points.
It was a second straight triumph in Paris for the world No 2, who won his first French Open title in 2024 thanks to a five-set victory over Alexander Zverev.
Much like in 2024, Alcaraz has celebrated his triumph with a holiday in Ibiza, spending around five nights on the island before arriving in London on Saturday for the ATP 500 tournament.
A string of withdrawals has blighted the tournament, with 2024 champion Tommy Paul and runner-up Lorenzo Musetti both pulling out this week.
However, Alcaraz will be in action at the event for a third straight year, having lifted the title on his debut appearance back in 2023.
And doubles star Murray, who oversees proceedings at the men’s event in Queen’s, believes Alcaraz has made the right decision to celebrate his success.
Murray, in fact, compared the situation to that of his brother, former singles world No 1 Andy, who he claimed he regretted not celebrating his success more often.
“I like the way he [Alcaraz] does it,” said Murray, speaking on The Tennis Podcast.
“In tennis, the season is so long, and there’s so many events to play that, you know, it’s easy to have your success and immediately start looking to the next event and preparing for that, and actually not taking the time to enjoy your success in that moment.
“I think Andy, at times, regretted that when he looked back, he’s like: ‘I wish I’d enjoyed that moment more.’
“And, you know, I’m glad that he’s enjoying his time in the moment that it has come for him. And I think that’s a good kind of life balance, right?
“The fact that Carlos is here now, he’s on-site hitting just now actually, is a big thing for the tournament.
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“He, I think, is the most popular player on the tour right now, regardless of ranking. I think for us to have him here will be a huge buzz for the event and just around the grounds in general over the next few days.”
Alcaraz’s Queen’s Club campaign will begin with a round one match against compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
It will be the 22-year-old’s first match on the surface since his successful Wimbledon triumph in 2024, beating Novak Djokovic in the final – having also beaten the Serbian in the 2023 championship match.
Alcaraz has amassed an impressive 24-3 record on grass across his career, and is aiming to win his second title at the Queen’s Club.
He defeated Alex de Minaur to capture the title in 2023, though his title defence in 2024 ended with a second-round defeat to Jack Draper, less than two weeks after his first Roland Garros win.
Alcaraz could again meet Draper at Queen’s this year, with the Spaniard and second seed Draper projected to meet in the final.
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