The world of tennis is once again under the spell of rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, two of the most prominent names of modern tennis. In an unexpected turn of events, Alcaraz, known for its unwavering energy and its fierce attitude, has surprised everyone by declaring the war to Zverev before his expected encounter in the Masters of Montecarlo 2025. But not only that, the most shocking thing was the overwhelming statement of the young Spanish: “I will not release the racket if I do not win,” making it clear that it is willing to fight until the end of this battle.

The rivalry between Alcaraz and Zverev has been at the center of attention in recent years, with both players rapidly climbing in the ATP classifications. Alcaraz, who has surprised the world with his impressive promotion, has established himself as one of the tennis futures, while Zverev, with his power and aggressive game style, has been a formidable competitor. However, it seems that this year, before Montecarlo Masters, something has changed in the dynamics between them.

According to reports near the Alcaraz environment, the young Spanish is more motivated than ever, with an almost military approach to the preparation for this tournament. After a last season full of ups and downs, with a painful defeat in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros 2024 against Zverev, Alcaraz has decided that he cannot let the shadow of his rival continue to stalk his career. The last defeat against the German, in which Alcaraz was frustrated for not being able to break Zverev’s strategy, was the catalyst for a series of intensive training and a relentless mentality.

Last Tuesday, at a press conference at the ATP facilities, Alcaraz surprised journalists with their sharp statement: “I will not release the racket if I don’t win. I’ve been working too much to stay empty again.” His words resonated in the halls of professional tennis, causing many to question if the pressure of this rivalry was beginning to take a more personal turn.

The young Spanish added that his motivation to beat Zverev in Montecarlo is not only because of the points of the ranking, but for a matter of pride. “It’s not just about the title, it is about demonstrating myself that I can overcome it. I have lost before him, and that feeling I don’t want to experiment again. I am not a loser, I am a fighter,” said Alcaraz, with the determination reflected in his face.

Despite the intensity of their words, some in the world of tennis have begun to see a dangerous pressure that could be affecting Alcaraz in a negative way. While the mentality of “not dropping the racket” can be interpreted as a sample of commitment and courage, it could also generate excessive pressure that makes it lose calm in crucial moments of the party. In his most recent confrontation at the ATP 500 of Barcelona 2024, Alcaraz showed signs of frustration when he failed to dominate the game, which led some to wonder if this need for victory could be affecting his performance.

For its part, Alexander Zverev has maintained his usual calm position before these comments. The German, with his technical approach and his imperturbable trust, just said: “Carlos is a great player, but this is a sport in which everyone must demonstrate what they are worth on the court. I am ready to compete.” It is not the first time that Zverev is in the midst of a high voltage rivalry, but his response has always been to stay centered and without being carried away by verbal provocations. Zverev is known for his mental strength and his ability to resist pressure, which makes it a formidable rival for Alcaraz.

Montecarlo Masters, which will begin next week, promises to be one of the most exciting editions in years. Not only for the quality of the players who dispute the title, but for the palpable tension between Alcaraz and Zverev, which seems to have reached new levels. Both players have shown an impressive domain in the beaten earth, and the tournament will be the perfect platform to measure their progress and determine who has the strongest mentality for the great challenges.

But not everything is what it seems. Sources close to the Alcaraz team revealed that his statement about “not release the racket” has an even deeper background. In a private conversation, Alcaraz mentioned that his approach was not only about Zverev, but also about his own internal struggle. “It is more about defeating my own demons. I want to win, not only for the title, but because I need to know that I am able to overcome my limits,” Alcaraz confessed, suggesting that the true war for him is with himself.

With the masters of Montecarlo just around the corner, the expectations are very high. The atmosphere is loaded with tension, and fans cannot wait to see how this duel develops between two of the most talented players of the new tennis generation. The question that everyone is asked now is: Alcaraz will finally be able to beat Zverev on his own court, or will he be dragged by the pressure he has created?

What is clear is that this confrontation will not be just one more party. It will be a will of wills, and the answer to who will win could determine not only the future of this rivalry, but also the course of its careers in the coming years.