Judy Murray has expressed admiration for Carlos Alcaraz's ability to enjoy life outside tennis, contrasting it with her son Andy's regrets after retirement. The tennis coach highlighted Alcaraz's approach in a recent interview, noting his celebrations and composure amid success. Alcaraz recently completed a career Grand Slam with an Australian Open victory.
Judy Murray, renowned tennis coach and mother of retired star Andy Murray, has singled out Carlos Alcaraz for his balanced lifestyle beyond the court. In an interview with Tennis Insider Club, she discussed how top players often become overly focused on success, leading to missed opportunities for enjoyment.
"I think that's why I have really enjoyed watching Carlos Alcaraz," Murray said. "Y'know, [he thinks] 'Go to Ibiza, because I celebrate with my friends,' whatever, 'I go and play golf.' I love that! Because there is more to life than just tennis, and the calendar is so stacked now, and there's so little space to enjoy."
She revealed that Andy Murray, after retiring, wished he had taken more time to savor his achievements. "And I know that one of the things that Andy said after his career was he wished he'd had more time to enjoy the successes. You know, you win on a Sunday, you pack your bag, you ship out that night! You don't even have time to go out for dinner to celebrate. I think you need the fun stuff as well, don't you?"
Alcaraz, aged 22 and currently the world No. 1, leads the men's game, having completed a career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open last month. He has reached each of the past four major finals and edges a rivalry with Jannik Sinner expected to define the sport for years. Last month, he defeated Arthur Fils to win the Doha Open.
Even on court, Alcaraz blends intensity with joy. During his Australian Open campaign, he defended opponent Alex de Minaur against a time violation penalty. Despite securing seven Grand Slam titles in less than four years, he maintains priorities beyond tennis, unlike predecessors Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who focused intensely on their careers.
Murray's comments underscore the pressures at tennis's pinnacle, where Alcaraz stands out for striking this equilibrium.