Carlos Alcaraz plans strategic breaks while advancing at the US Open

Carlos Alcaraz, the current US Open champion, says he plans to take longer breaks from tennis going forward to protect his health and keep his career going strong. He’s just 23, and after being sidelined for four months with a wrist injury, he’s got a new perspective on rest. The ATP schedule keeps getting fuller, and he feels it’s pushing players to their limits—physically and mentally.

Right after his second-round comeback win against Portugal’s Jaime Faria—he dropped the first set but stormed back 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2—Alcaraz talked about his change in mindset. He didn't want that forced time off because of injury, but now he gets why stepping back on purpose matters. Playing every required event just isn’t realistic, he says. If the tour doesn’t adjust, he sees more injuries coming for more players.

This latest win takes his Grand Slam streak to 16 matches and his US Open record to 26 wins and only 3 losses. He hasn’t lost a match at a major all year—he even grabbed the Australian Open title. Sure, injuries kept him out of the French Open and Wimbledon, but he’s still one of the main threats in New York.

Alcaraz points out that the ATP season can stretch over 40 weeks, and that’s barely enough space for real recovery. His plan? Skip the occasional tournament or even take off a month or two if he needs it. He’d rather do that than risk another big setback.

On the court, he proved just how tough he can be. Losing the first set didn’t rattle him—he reeled off eight games in a row and fired 43 winners. Everyone knows he’s a star, but after the match, he got real about the grind that comes with life at the top. His honesty is adding more fuel to a conversation that tennis players really need to have about their workload and well-being.