Carlos Alcaraz has claimed that there needs to be a big change to how tennis is covered as the clay court season begins.
The Monte-Carlo Masters is officially underway, marking the start of the clay court season in tennis.
Several of the biggest names in the sport are competing in the tournament, including current world no,1 Alcaraz, who will look to defend his title in Monte-Carlo.
The event is the first of three that will see Alcaraz fight to retain his title, the other two being the Italian Open in Rome and, of course, the French Open major at Roland Garros, where he defeated rival Jannik Sinner in the 2025 final.
Advert
However, ahead of the clay court season starting, Alcaraz spoke with the media to make clear the one demand that he is making that will change how tennis is covered forever.
Because of his talents on the court and likeable personality off of it, Alcaraz is undoubtedly the biggest name in sport right now, and with that comes a lot of attention from the press.
But the Spaniard has now said that enough is enough, as he's called for players to be granted more privacy, noting he is against the fact that cameras appear to everywhere during tournaments
"For the fans, it's great. They love to see what happens behind the scenes, what we do, how the facilities are inside the tournaments," Alcaraz told the media.
"But for the players, it's a bit strange because we no longer have a place to relax, as we are constantly thinking that there are cameras and everyone is watching us.
"Having cameras so close, being able to see what we are seeing on our phones, seems excessive to me. Already, we don't have much privacy in tournaments, and I think this is too much. We should have spaces where we can be alone without being filmed."
The 22-year-old later added that he is completely grateful for the love and support, particularly from fans.
He added: "I feel very loved wherever I go, and I am very grateful for it. The people who watch me on television, those who travel to see my matches, my training, to see me in general, it's amazing to me."
Boris Becker addresses Alcaraz's demand in social media post
Alcaraz's comments will no doubt bring attention to a discussion that has been surrounding the sport in recent months, prompting former world no.1 and Wimbledon winner Becker to speak out.
Posting on X, he wrote: "Finally someone ( world Nr 1…) speaks up about the players total loss of privacy at tournaments!
"We wouldn’t have allowed it in my days!"
Alcaraz's comments come after several of the biggest names on the WTA Tour have also called for more privacy.
During the Australian Open, Coco Gauff was filmed smashing her tennis racket backstage following her defeat to Elina Svitolina, something she criticised, saying players are treated 'like animals in a zoo' while adding that the locker room is now the only place where she can escape the cameras.
Not long after, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka shared similar thoughts after she also smashed her racket backstage after losing to Gauff in the final of the US Open.
Topics: Carlos Alcaraz, Tennis
Ben McCrum