At just 21, Carlos Alcaraz has experienced almost everything in the sport. Such has been his influence on the ATP Tour over the last 2-3 years. Be it winning Grand Slam titles or achieving the World Number 1 rank, he has done it all. However, his fast-moving tennis got a reality check this year as he was affected by injuries. As a result, Alcaraz’s childhood mentor advised caution to the Spaniard moving forward.

Alcaraz has been playing tennis day in and day out. Thus, with a hectic schedule, he has had very little time to rest. Moreover, he suffered a major health scare during the ATP Finals as he had breathing issues at the tournament. His childhood mentor Antonio Martínez Cascales feels that Alcaraz’s ambitions could have their downsides.

During an interview with Punto de Break, Cascales said, “Ambition is the key word. That is the main fear, at the same time. That he still has the ambition to win more titles. If at 25 he still has the same ambition, then he could end up with many Grand Slams. I remember an interview with Moyà years ago, when he was asked what the biggest differences were between him and Rafa Nadal, and he answered that it was ambition. You can’t be number 1 without ambition. He said that Rafa had 10 times more ambition than him, and that ambition is what makes you want to keep training and trying hard. That he doesn’t lose that ambition is the key.”

Despite suffering from breathing difficulties, Alcaraz continued to play in the ATP Finals. He was spotted wearing a nasal strip to enhance his breathing. However, he fell short of the semifinal spot after losing against Alexander Zverev today.

Meanwhile, Alcaraz isn’t done yet playing this year. American tennis legend, Andy Roddick highlighted Alcaraz’s physical struggles as another important event awaits the Spaniard.

Andy Roddick on Carlos Alcaraz: ‘Sounds like someone who is sick’

After bowing out of the ATP Finals, Alcaraz will be seen in action at the Davis Cup Finals. The tournament will also mark Rafael Nadal’s retirement and there is a possibility that we could see Nadal and Alcaraz playing for one final time. Thus, Alcaraz will have to be at his best to make Nadal’s retirement memorable.

However, with Alcaraz’s persistent breathing issues, Andy Roddick caught a worried look. He said, “Mentally, I felt he was there a little bit more. The breath white strip that he’s wearing, sounds like someone who is sick. But props to him, he has two Slams this year, he has Davis Cup which is Rafa’s farewell coming up. So it would be very easy for him to take a pass this event, especially after losing the first match. So props to him for staying there, he’s not 100% and missing more than he usually does.”

Nonetheless, a mini-break ahead of the Davis Cup Finals could actually act as a boon for Alcaraz. Can he inspire Spain’s campaign and help his country lift the Davis Cup title? Let us know your views in the comments below.