Carlos Alcaraz has already achieved tennis history at the age of 22, completing the career Grand Slam with his Australian Open title.
Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in the final of the hard-court Grand Slam, where there was a 16-year age gap between the two players.
Djokovic was chasing a 25th Grand Slam title at the age of 38, but it was the younger of the two ATP stars that emerged victorious.
Alcaraz is now a seven-time Grand Slam champion thanks to his Australian Open success, and is the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.
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Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t see himself playing aged 35
Following the achievement, Alcaraz has now shared insight into what his future in the sport could look like.
Speaking in Spanish to El Partidazo de Cope, he said: “Tennis is a very demanding sport, mentally and physically, and even more so nowadays.
“The speed of the ball, the demands on the court have increased, and the schedule doesn’t help.
“So, we try to take care of our bodies as much as possible to get there in the best possible shape, but as a very wise person once told me, I can’t think 15 years ahead, but rather in five, and then in the next five.
“So we’ll see, but right now I don’t see myself playing at 35, although maybe the moment will come and I’ll keep going with more enthusiasm than ever and be motivated to continue playing until my body allows me to.”
Do you believe Carlos Alcaraz is already the greatest tennis player of all time?
Carlos Alcaraz makes fantastic decision right after winning the Australian Open
It’s fair to say that despite his youth, Alcaraz has made several fantastic decisions in his relatively brief career so far.
That includes the actions on and off the court that have played a part in the youngster clinching a mammoth seven Grand Slam titles.
Just before his latest, he shocked many fans by parting with long-term coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, having enjoyed so much success alongside his fellow Spaniard.
READ MORE: Greg Rusedski predicts if Carlos Alcaraz will win 20 Grand Slams during his entire career
But the world number one quickly suggested it was the right call by winning the Australian Open, with the help of Samuel Lopez.
He’s now made another fantastic decision, with Alcaraz withdrawing from the Rotterdam Open right after his latest Grand Slam victory.
It may not have been a straightforward decision, particularly because he won the tournament in 2025, beating Alex de Minaur in the final.
But it looks certain to be the right decision, with the 22-year-old now needing to rest and recover for the long season ahead.
The Spaniard has often advocated for change to the ruthless tennis calendar, but he’s now taking matters into his own hands by withdrawing from Rotterdam later this month.
