Alcaraz tries to skip constant career pressure

Troubled tyro Carlos Alcaraz has stepped down from Sunday Davis Cup duties for Spain, with the former No. 1 st to take a pause from tennis in hopes of rediscovering his joy in the sport.

The ATP No. 3 won a pair of Davis ties this week for his nation in group play, but hinted that it’s time for a pause.

Alcaraz suffered through a disaster of a mini hardcourt season, losing his first match in Cincinnati and then exiting in the US Open second round.

“Being No. 1 always makes you feel the pressure to do well for your country, especially after not having had good feelings in the last few matches,’ Alcaraz said.

“I have tried not to do the bad things that I did on the American tour. I had been training well, but training is one thing and competition is another.”

Any time out will surely come quickly to an end in time for a can’t-miss millionaire’s payday in Saudi at a rich exhibition October 16-19 featuring Alcaraz, mentor Rafael Nadal and No. 1 Jannik Sinner among others.

Alcaraz admitted to local media this week in Spain that his career is taking an emotional toll.

“There are times when I smile because I force myself to smile even if I don’t feel like it. 

“Sometimes it works and changes the dynamic, and other times it doesn’t.

“At the US Open I forced myself to smile, but it didn’t click. This (Davis Cup) week has helped me both mentally and tennis-wise, I’ve realised many things.”