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Jimmy Connors points out a pre-final routine from Carlos Alcaraz that he wouldn’t have done

Originally posted on HITC | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 2:55 PM ET

Carlos Alcaraz could not replicate his Roland Garros success at Wimbledon, losing to Jannik Sinner in the final.

The Spaniard, who had also lost to Sinner at SW19 in 2022, could not make his trademark drop shots count against the Italian’s speed and precision.

At just 22, Alcaraz already boasts five Grand Slam titles and will aim to add a sixth when the US Open arrives in September.

Jimmy Connors, who shares the record for most US Open titles with five, pointed out something about Alcaraz’s pre-match routine before the final that he wouldn’t have done during his own career.

Jimmy Connors suggests he wouldn’t have hugged ‘seven or eight guys’ like Carlos Alcaraz did

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With eight Grand Slam titles on his résumé, Connors is someone people are likely to listen to when he shares his thoughts on the current tennis scene.

He brought up an interesting point on the ‘Advantage Connors Podcast’ when discussing the entourages surrounding Alcaraz and Sinner.

Speaking to his son and co-host Brett Connors, Jimmy said: “I saw before they walked out on court, I think it was Alcaraz. He was getting ready to walk out on court and he must have hugged seven or eight guys.

“Your mum told me ‘get out there and play and let’s go home.’

“But they were hugging seven or eight guys in their camp. You have this guy and that guy, who is going to do this and that. To the point where I would have looked at that as a distraction.

“They look at that now differently. They look at that now that everybody is there for a reason and they have a purpose.”

Alcaraz handed first defeat in Grand Slam final

Carlos Alcaraz heads into the US Open with every reason to feel confident, even after Sunday’s defeat. It was just his first defeat in a Grand Slam final, and it came after an impressive 24-match win streak.

Tournament	Alcaraz’s opponent in the final
US Open 2022	beat Casper Ruud 6-4 2-6 7-6 6-3
Wimbledon 2023	beat Novak Djokovic 1–6 7–6 6–1 3–6 6–4
French Open 2024	beat Alexander Zverev 6-3 2-6 5-7 6-1 6-2
Wimbledon 2024	beat Novak Djokovic 6-2 6-2 7-6
French Open 2024	beat Jannik Sinner 4–6 6–7 6–4 7–6 7–6
Wimbledon 2025	lost to Jannik Sinner 6-4 4-6 4-6 4-6

Even so, he isn’t the favourite. That status belongs to Jannik Sinner. He has claimed three hard-court majors compared to Alcaraz’s one, and has recently added the 2025 Australian Open to his tally.

The US Open runs from August 24 to September 7, with both Alcaraz and Sinner expected to be right in the mix.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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