Why does Carlos Alcaraz juggle tennis balls before matches? Spanish star reveals real reason behind viral pre-match ritual

Fans who closely follow Carlos Alcaraz have probably noticed one small ritual he repeats before matches. Whether it is in a hallway, a locker room or near the practice courts, the young star can often be seen casually juggling three tennis balls. The clips often go viral on social media whenever cameras catch him doing it at tournaments. For a long time, many fans thought it was just a fun habit or a way for Alcaraz to relax before matches. But the Spaniard recently explained the real reason behind it.

Carlos Alcaraz explains the juggling routine fans keep noticing

According to him, the juggling drill was never his idea. It actually came from someone in his team, and he has simply stuck with it ever since. Speaking during a recent tennis interview, Alcaraz shared that the routine started after a suggestion from his physiotherapist, Juanjo Moreno. The young star admitted that he did not question the advice too much. If it was part of the training plan, he was happy to follow it. While explaining the story, Alcaraz laughed about how straightforward the reason really is. "It's because my physio told me to do it. And I just obey, obey him. So I don't know if it's helpful or not, but I took it as a routine. Everything went well since I started to do it, so why sort of change. So I just keep it like that, and if my physio says it or I need to do it, I just, I'm gonna do it, for sure," he said, as quoted in Marca.
One memorable moment came during the summer of 2024 when Roland Garros hosted the Paris Olympics. A video that went viral online showed Alcaraz standing in a crowded corridor at the stadium while juggling three balls. Staff members and other players walked past him, but he remained completely focused on the rhythm of the exercise.
The reason for the routine is simple. Tennis players need quick reactions and strong hand-eye coordination. Juggling the balls before a match helps wake up their reflexes and improve focus.
Sometimes, Alcaraz even turns the drill into a small game with Moreno, tossing balls back and forth to keep the brain engaged.
For the young Spanish star, the juggling routine has now become part of his rhythm before competition. And as long as his physio keeps recommending it, Alcaraz seems more than happy to keep the tennis balls flying.



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