Carlos Alcaraz admits he can’t stop playing risky shots despite coaches’ advice

Alcaraz has made a name for himself with his entertaining brand of tennis, but he admitted that his coaches sometimes tell him to cut out some of the flair.

“After that I was trying to grow up as a player and try to be better with that same style. I love playing that way,” added Alcaraz.

“Hitting big, playing good rallies, good shots, good points, that’s what I try to do and that’s why I enjoy playing tennis. Sometimes they tell me it’s not necessary to do some shots to be honest, but if I don’t do that it’s like something is wrong.”

Alcaraz knows he still takes unnecessary risks at times but says it’s all part of who he is as a player.

“I think I’m doing great shots and great things, but at the same time, I’m doing unnecessary shots. I think all things are myself and I can’t do anything about it.”

The Spaniard may not be fully satisfied with his game yet, but few can argue with his results this season. He’s lost only seven matches so far in 2025 while racking up 62 wins along the way.

Alcaraz plays down injury concerns after Japan Open slip

Early on in his opening match against Baez, Alcaraz took a fall that raised immediate concerns about his fitness for the rest of the tournament.

But he managed to play through it and later told fans that he feels ready to continue competing in Tokyo.

“After all I started to feel a little bit better. I was able to walk to the bench which for me was a relief,” Alcaraz said.

“Now I’m feeling the same way, so I would say it’s great because when it cooled down I felt the same as when I was playing. It’s a great sign.”

With Denis Shapovalov and Frances Tiafoe both exiting early, Casper Ruud now stands as the only remaining seed on Alcaraz’s half of the draw at the Japan Open.