The young tennis player falls in love not only because of his game, but also because he takes life away from gravity naturally and with a mind
He refuses to be called Carlos. He prefers Charlie or Carlitos. And that’s how Alexander Zverev referred to him, who succumbed to the Murcian in the final of the Madrid Open in just under an hour. The whole world surrenders to a 19-year-old boy who will soon make it to number 1, as Nadal, Djokovic and Zverev themselves predict. Carlitos has it all and analysts explain its virtues with complex technicalities. But after beating Djokovic, he realized that he had only applied what his grandfather had taught him: the three ‘C’s, i.e. head, heart and the masculine qualities that also begin with ‘C’, an allusion that some consider insipid. have considered. Most, however, praised the freshness and innocence of the young man, who behaves naturally regardless of the impact of what he does and says.
Alcaraz shines with a versatile and daring game, unimaginable in a beardless man. But it also seduces because it falls well. His youthful confidence, even a certain penchant for mischief, is confirmed in every drop, in every lobe, but also in his way of being. They say you play as you are. And certainly, Carlitos shows a spontaneity that is unimaginable in such demanding situations. I don’t know Carlitos’ grandfather – with whom he shares a name – but I would suggest that his grandson added two other criteria to his unerring recipe for the three ‘C’s: character and humor.
What Carlitos shows on and off the track is that the epic of great deeds, selfless sacrifice and ambition are not at odds with a sense of humor. What’s more, as tennis players like Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova knew very well, laughter helps spread the tension. And so, in early 2021, Carlitos had no problem celebrating the end of the quarantine at the Australian Open on the networks with a funny dance, like that of Joaquín, the Betis footballer. As any coach knows, humor is essential to mitigate the damaging effects of grueling workouts, endless travel, or the monotonous feeding and grooming routines themselves. However, when they go on stage, most athletes hide their humorous side, perhaps because someone told them that heroes don’t laugh.
More than half a millennium ago, Erasmus of Rotterdam mocked the one who went through life circumspectly, imperturbably and ceremoniously, as if gravity were shining on his dignity. Before a solemn speech, he protested: «what would it have cost him to say the same thing with a little salt and humor?». In his ‘In Praise of Madness’ he advocated listening not to those who preach from the pulpit, but to those who try to show us the funny side of life, because he found in them more sincerity and clarity.
Carlitos’ big smile, which never fades, reminds me of that of other memorable athletes, such as Ronaldinho, the last Blaugrana player to receive an ovation in Madrid. To “the smile of football” it was not his grandfather but his mother who taught him the three rules of life: “Be happy, laugh and never harm others”.
At 19, Carlitos inspires us not only because of his confidence – another ‘C’ – but also because he conveys the joy of being lucky enough to earn a living and create a lasting work through play. After beating the world No. 1 in three and a half hours, he couldn’t think of anything else to say “I enjoyed it”. Later, he aroused tenderness and a smile in us, when he remembered Juanito writing in front of the camera: «A match in Madrid is molto longo».
Already on the podium of the final, and after the ritual congratulations to the rival and his team in rather macaronic English, he again caused laughter in the audience: «I’m going to speak in Spanish, which is my thing». Interviewed on the track by Álex Corretja about his keys, he repeated what he repeats to his friends: of course sacrifice and discipline are essential, but no more than “have fun” and “enjoy”.
Zverev lost because of his state of mind: he came out without faith, played erratic and hesitant, was serious, sometimes demoralized, crestfallen, angry at his constant mistakes. He eventually apologized to the public for his poor performance. He was only seen smiling as on stage the two tennis players poured their bottles of champagne on their opponent’s head, straightening out an environment prone to formalism. Erasmus would have applauded.
Source: La Verdad
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
