Nearly five years ago, Rafael Nadal shared in an interview that his family would never have permitted him to break a racket on court. This revelation highlights the values that have shaped Nadal’s career, where composure and emotional control have been key components of his success.
In contrast, reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz found himself in the spotlight for a different reason at the Cincinnati Masters on Friday. During his surprising second-round defeat to Gael Monfils, Alcaraz lost his temper and smashed his racket, a rare display of frustration that led to a public apology.
Nadal, who has appeared in 30 Grand Slam finals and claimed victory in 22, has always maintained his cool under pressure, never allowing emotions to get the better of him. When asked in a 2019 interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes how many rackets he had broken, Nadal signaled “zero” with a smile. He explained, “My family, they wouldn’t have allowed me to break a racket. For me, breaking a racket means I’m not in control of my emotions.”
This philosophy of restraint might be something Nadal would share with his Paris Olympics doubles partner, Alcaraz, who let his frustration boil over during his match against Monfils. After failing to convert a crucial break point in the third set, Alcaraz repeatedly slammed his racket to the ground, earning a code violation from the umpire. Despite winning the first set, Alcaraz couldn’t regain his composure and ultimately lost the match 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.
Reflecting on his outburst, Alcaraz admitted, “I felt sometimes that I wanted to break the racket. It never happened before because I could control myself in those situations, in those feelings. Today I couldn’t control myself because I was feeling that I was not playing any kind of tennis. I think some players, a lot of players, during their careers and during certain moments, they can’t control themselves and it was one of those moments for me.”
The next day, Alcaraz took to Instagram to apologize for his behavior, writing, “I want to apologize for my attitude yesterday, it was not good and that should not happen on court. I’m human, the nerves had accumulated and sometimes it is very tough to control when there is that tension. I will work so that it doesn’t happen again.”
Alcaraz’s outburst serves as a reminder of the intense pressure top athletes face, but also highlights the importance of emotional control—a lesson Nadal has clearly mastered throughout his storied career.
