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6 Jun 2025 | 18.06
I always rescue someone's words when they belittle some Grand Slams won by Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, saying things like they didn't have tough opponents or that Djokovic or Nadal weren't there, among other things. They still don't realize that winning a Grand Slam, in men's tennis, signifies something superior to anything else in the tennis world. It's not easy at all, even if someone watching from the couch thinks so.
Do you remember Carlitos' first major? Back in September 2022, the Spaniard won his first Slam in New York, defeating Sinner in five sets in the longest match in the tournament's history, Tiafoe in the semis in five sets, and Ruud in the final in four sets. This, which may seem straightforward on paper while we read it lying in bed or on the couch, is not simple at all. It requires special physical and mental preparation. It's not for everyone, and the facts speak for themselves.
Just look at what has happened to many others in the past. Age doesn't matter, whether they're 30 or 20; to win a Grand Slam, you must be extremely well-prepared. There have been many who have suffered cramps or whose bodies couldn't endure long tournaments like these. In men's tennis, this is played over the best of five sets. This means being ready for battles of over four hours of tennis. Not every body can handle it.
You can have all the class, talent, magic, and tennis in the world, but if you haven't prepared physically for something like this, you won't reach the goal. Just ask Lorenzo Musetti. The Italian has a brush in his arm that seems to draw waves in the air when he hits his backhand. He has tremendous talent and, in terms of tennis, he could surely challenge and question the victory of anyone. No matter who they are. But what's the issue? Physically, he hasn't reached maturity yet and hasn't worked as much as he should in that aspect.
He had Alcaraz on the ropes in the Monte Carlo final. Dominating from the baseline and a set up, but the wear and tear he experienced that week came out in that second set, eventually collapsing completely. On this sixth of June, in the semifinal of Roland Garros, more of the same. Despite not having had a very demanding path to this stage, the intensity of the match and the nerves typical of such an encounter got to him. His body couldn't hold up, and after over two hours of high intensity, he had to retire.
As easy as it may seem, winning a Grand Slam is very challenging for many aspects. One of them is physical. Then we can delve into other debates, but physical work is the first thing that must be put on the table. Imagine how difficult it is to win a major that there are dozens and dozens of talented players who retired without one. Ask Zverev, who despite his tennis skills, still hasn't been able to win one.
And if winning one is hard, imagine 24, like Djokovic. We are not aware of how much it takes to triumph at a Grand Slam, to then read someone saying it was "given" to them. Let's understand that we are facing the ultimate challenge in tennis, and one of the most complex things in individual sports. Seven potential matches, all played over the best of five sets. And, on top of that, on clay courts, in the case of Roland Garros, where matches are even more physical.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ganar un Grand Slam no es nada fácil
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