Carlos Alcaraz reveals tips he received from tennis great Andre Agassi
Carlos Alcaraz has divulged that he has asked tennis legend Andre Agassi for tips on dealing with pressure and staying at the highest level of the sport.
The world No 2 explained that the eight-time Grand Slam champion stressed the importance of every day and giving the maximum of how you feel on any day, even when it less than 100%.
Alcaraz met Agassi at the Netflix Slam exhibition in Las Vegas earlier this month, where he defeated his legendary compatriot Rafael Nadal.
The two-time major champion is competing at the 2024 Indian Wells Open, where he is the defending champion and aiming to win his first title since Wimbledon in July last year.
The 20-year-old has defeated Matteo Arnaldi and Felix Auger-Aliassime to progress to the last 16 of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament. He will take on world No 58 Fabian Marozsan — who he was stunned by at the Italian Open in Rome last year in the pair’s only previous encounter.
READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz makes startling confession and admits he wants revenge on next opponent
In an interview with Tennis Channel after dismantling Auger-Aliassime 6-2, 6-3 in the third round, Alcaraz was asked about his interaction with former world No 1 Agassi in Las Vegas.
After his commanding third round win, @carlosalcaraz is feeling healthy and ready to go 💪
He stopped by the TC Desk to talk about his performance and his time with tennis legend @AndreAgassi in Vegas.#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/J8nLj6zhpV
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 11, 2024
“Well, I ask him (Agassi) for a few tips, a few things about how he was doing during his career, how he dealt with the pressure or how he stayed at the high rank or the high intensity during almost his whole career,” he revealed.
“He told me that ‘you have to give your 100% every day, or if you feel at your 80%, you have to give your 100% of that 80%.’ He told me the importance of every day. You cannot miss nothing in a day.”
During the broadcast for the Netflix Slam, Agassi analysed the Spaniard’s game and identified his main strengths and weaknesses.
“I really love his game on the move, when he’s in flight, the dynamics and his ability to use the geometry and the pace he can inject,” the American said.
“I do get a little concerned for him sometimes when he’s on the static side. When his feet don’t have to move as much sometimes he doesn’t know where to direct that energy and he gets set a little too early, not quite the same conviction on his shots when he can be in control of the point.
“When I look at Alcaraz’s ability to bring such an upside, he will struggle with keeping the reins on and not necessarily having to do more than he needs to, in the majority of his matches.
“All greats figure out what their game is built on and they rely on that in the biggest moments. I still question if Carlos has figured out what he’s going to rely on to create that consistent pressure for his opponent that gives him the highest percentage of locking something down.
“He might serve, volley he might his first ball drop, he can do all of it. He’s going to find it, he’s only 20. It’s going to be beautiful when he does. I hope it’s soon and often.”
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