Carlos Alcaraz has a handicap of 11 and a seven-match winning streak, and he does not seem to think the two have much to do with each other.
Sitting down for Etcheverry’s vlog, the Spaniard laughed through the admission that golf has, at times, taken up more of his schedule than the day job.
“There have been months when I’ve played more golf than tennis.”
The line comes with the usual Alcaraz grin, but it is also the loudest signal yet of how deeply the world No. 2 has gone into the other sport. He put his handicap at 11, down from the 11.2 that the Royal Spanish Golf Federation had on him in 2025.
Read also: Neuer: “I should have made a different decision
Indian Wells wins on fairways
Asked about his favorite tournament outside Spain, Alcaraz did not reach for a Slam. He picked the California desert.
“Indian Wells, mate. The golf, being able to relax and feel at home. The tournament is incredible.”
That is a very specific selling point. Indian Wells sits in a region built around golf resorts, and Alcaraz has been open before about using the week to swap his racket for clubs between matches.
A vlog, a tortilla, a dream
Etcheverry, the Argentine who reached world No. 25 earlier this year, has built the vlog as a lighter look at life on tour: food, downtime, the players behind the rankings. Alcaraz’s episode went up as the Asian swing moved from Tokyo to Shanghai, and the Spaniard spent much of it in the kind of mood that only a player on a long winning run can muster. He said he prefers his tortilla without onions. He also had a line for the youngest viewers.
Read also: ‘He doesn’t get the appreciation he deserves’: Flick on Gerard Martin’s Barcelona century
“I always say to dream big, not to be afraid to pursue their dreams, and not to let others tell them they can’t. And, above all, to enjoy the journey.”
Comeback that keeps rolling
The timing of the confession is what makes it land. Alcaraz spent four months on the sidelines earlier in 2026 with a wrist injury, and his Tokyo title last week was his first trophy since returning. He beat Jiří Lehečka 7-6(4), 6-4 in that final to defend his Japan Open crown, becoming the first man since Pete Sampras in 1994 to retain the title.
He has carried the form into Shanghai. His second-round win over Juan Manuel Cerúndolo on Friday ran out 6-3, 6-3 in 67 minutes, a seventh straight win since the injury return. Zizou Bergs is next, with the pair scheduled to meet in the third round on Monday.
Read also: Six points in six games: Man United’s worst start since 1986
