"Carlos Alcaraz doesn't act like someone there to get paid" - Andy Roddick hails Spaniard for 'thirstless stardom' on display at Charlotte exhibition
Carlos Alcaraz has continued to delight fans with exhibition appearances and recently brought his stardom to Charlotte, North Carolina. His conduct during the Charlotte Invitational earned plaudits from American tennis legend Andy Roddick.
After wrapping up a star-studding night at the Madison Square Garden in New York City for the Garden Cup, Alcaraz jetted to Charlotte, North Carolina, to play the Charlotte Invitational alongside Frances Tiafoe, Madison Keys, and Sloane Stephens. The quartet entertained fans at the Spectrum Center on December 6.
Alcaraz was the biggest star at the Charlotte Invitational, and Charlotte native Roddick praised his top-notch conduct during the tournament in the latest episode of his Served with Andy Roddick podcast. He credited the Spaniard for rewriting the book on players' behavior during an exhibition event. The American stated that Alcaraz did not act like he was getting money to be there and called him the "safest" bet for any exhibition organizers.
"I think people have rewritten the book like Carlos Alcaraz was pitch perfect with every person. And this is big for Charlotte, but this is not a prioritized event for him, right? This is something that he's doing obviously because he is getting paid like there's no doubt about it, but he doesn't act like someone who's there to get paid. He acts like someone who is trying to add value. And if he is getting paid, he's the safest offer in tennis," Andy Roddick said.
Watching Carlos Alcaraz doing what he does best from the sidelines, Roddick was astounded by the 21-year-old's incredible speed and bag of tricks. The 2003 US Open champion went on to claim that Alcaraz achieved "thirstless stardom" with his effortless crowd work.
"One because of like in an exhibition where he's throwing the full box of tools out there. I'm watching first row and I'm like the shots he's hitting. I know what he's doing. I can see the ragged speed. I'm like, holy sh** like the speed he can create at the last minute being this far from him."
"I've seen him at the open obviously, but you're up in the suites and I mean, it's just next level talent and then he does it all with a sneaky smile on his face, in on all the jokes, knows when to bring people in. I was like, it's the most thirstless stardom I think I've ever seen," Roddick added.
Tiafoe and Alcaraz fed off the energy at the arena and delighted the crowd with their unusual shot-making and running banter. Eventually, the American defeated the Spaniard 5-7, 6-1, 11-9. Meanwhile, in the repeat of the 2017 US Open, Madison Keys avenged that loss, beating Stephens 7-5, 6-3.
Carlos Alcaraz begins pre-season training for 2025 after Charlotte Invitational
After playing two exhibition events in the USA, Carlos Alcaraz is back home and has already started training for the 2025 ATP Tour. The Spaniard was spotted training at the Real Sociedad Club de Campo in Murcia, Spain, with his gear alongside his coach, Juan Carlos Ferraro, and other team members.
Alcaraz recently made a surprising addition to his team by hiring veteran coach Samuel Lopez to work alongside Ferrero. Interestingly, Ferrero was a ward of Lopez's back in the day. Lopez most recently coached another Spanish star, Pablo Carreno Busta, before they ended their nine-year partnership at the end of the 2024 season.
Alcaraz won four titles in 2024, including the Channel Slam (winning the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year), and lifted the winner's trophy at the Indian Wells Masters and China Open. The former World No. 1 will begin his Grand Slam quest in 2025 at the Australian Open.