Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova reflects on Carlos Alcaraz’s demeanor
Russian tennis professional Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has revealed that she initially had a negative impression of Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz during a recent podcast appearance, reports BritPanorama.
Pavlyuchenkova shared her candid thoughts while discussing Alcaraz on ‘Box podcast during her off-season break. She admitted that his constant cheerful demeanor struck her as potentially disingenuous, leading her to question the authenticity of his upbeat courtside manner.
The former world No 13 expressed bewilderment at Alcaraz’s relentlessly positive attitude, especially in contrast to her own emotional approach during matches. “After that I really took a liking to Alcaraz because somehow, well I don’t really know, I didn’t really like his manner, because it seemed to me that he had a bit of a pretence, he smiles all the time. I think, ‘How is that possible?'” she explained in the interview.
Pavlyuchenkova, who ended her 2025 season following a second-round defeat to Victoria Azarenka at the US Open, acknowledged that her opinion of Alcaraz changed over time. Noting the differences in their personalities, she remarked, “I have just drama there all the time when I play. I think, ‘How is it possible?’ He smiles at his team all the time, it’s too much.”
While Alcaraz faced an unexpected early exit at the Paris Masters, losing in the second round to Britain’s Cameron Norrie, he reflected on his performance without making excuses. “I didn’t feel well today. A lot of mistakes… I had no feeling at all,” he stated post-match, emphasising his disappointment.
As Alcaraz prepares for the upcoming ATP Finals, he has voiced concerns about the intense demands of the professional tennis calendar, with competitors often lacking adequate preparation due to a packed schedule.
Pavlyuchenkova’s insights into Alcaraz enrich the narrative around the emerging star, highlighting the blend of perspectives that characterise elite tennis. The contrast between their approaches underlines how even in sports, personalities can diverge significantly, reminding us of the varied emotional landscapes athletes navigate in their careers.
