Carlos Alcaraz’s Mother Breaks Down in Tears During Interview, Revealing Her Son’s Deep Depression and Negative State After Winning AO Amid Cheating and Favoritism Accusations

In an emotional interview that has left the tennis world stunned, Virginia Ruiz Pascual, mother of world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, burst into tears on live television as she openly addressed the torrent of criticism and accusations her son has faced since winning the 2026 Australian Open. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who defeated Jannik Sinner in a dramatic five-set final to claim his second AO title, has been bombarded with claims of cheating, using banned devices, receiving favoritism from officials, and being “handed” the victory due to biased calls and scheduling.

What should have been a moment of triumph has instead plunged Carlos into a dark period of depression and negativity, his mother revealed.

Speaking to Spanish broadcaster RTVE from their family home in Murcia, Virginia could barely hold back her tears as she described the toll the controversy has taken on her son. “Carlos is in a very bad place right now,” she said, her voice breaking. “He won the Australian Open—something he dreamed of since he was a little boy—and instead of celebrating, he’s been crying alone in his room. He’s not eating properly, he’s not sleeping. He’s lost weight, he looks pale, and every time he picks up his phone he sees more hate.

He keeps asking me, ‘Mum, why do they hate me so much? I just played tennis.’ It breaks my heart.”

The accusations began almost immediately after the final. A controversial line call in the fourth set—where a Hawk-Eye review upheld an “out” decision on Sinner’s shot—sparked claims that officials were favoring Alcaraz to protect the tournament’s “young star” narrative. Social media exploded with posts alleging he used prohibited tech devices (unsubstantiated rumors of hidden earpieces or analytics tools), received favorable scheduling, and benefited from biased umpiring.

Some even accused him of “match-fixing” or being “protected by the ATP.” The backlash intensified when Alex de Minaur, who lost to Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, hinted at “systemic favoritism” in a post-match interview, further fueling the fire.

Virginia admitted the family has been shielding Carlos from the worst of it. “We’ve tried to keep him off social media, but he still sees things. People write that he’s a cheat, that he doesn’t deserve the title, that he’s arrogant. Some even say he should be stripped of the trophy. He’s only 22. He’s worked so hard, sacrificed so much, and now this? He’s fallen into a deep sadness. He doesn’t want to leave the house. He talks about quitting tennis sometimes. I’ve never seen him like this.”

She described nights when Carlos would sit silently, staring at the wall, replaying the final in his mind—not the victory, but the accusations. “He says, ‘Mum, maybe they’re right. Maybe I don’t deserve it.’ That kills me. He’s always been so positive, so full of life. Now he’s negative, withdrawn. He’s depressed, truly depressed. He doesn’t smile like before. He doesn’t joke with his siblings. He just wants to disappear.”

Virginia’s voice cracked as she appealed directly to the public. “I’m begging everyone—please stop. Stop the hate. Stop the lies. Carlos is a good boy. He’s honest, he loves tennis, he respects his opponents. He didn’t cheat. He didn’t get special treatment. He won because he’s the best player right now. Please understand that words hurt. They’re destroying him. If you love tennis, if you love this sport, please leave him alone. Let him heal. Let him breathe. He’s given everything to this game—don’t take his joy away.”

The mother’s raw plea has resonated deeply. Fans from around the world have flooded social media with messages of support, using hashtags like #LeaveCarlosAlone and #ProtectAlcaraz. Fellow players have also spoken out. Rafael Nadal posted: “Carlos is one of the purest talents I’ve ever seen. The sport needs him happy and healthy. Enough with the toxicity.” Novak Djokovic shared a simple heart emoji on his story, while Jannik Sinner said in a press conference: “He beat me fair. He’s a champion. Let’s celebrate that, not tear him down.”

The Australian Open issued a statement defending its officiating: “All decisions were made in accordance with ITF and Hawk-Eye protocols. There is no evidence of bias or misconduct.” Yet the damage to Alcaraz’s mental state appears significant. His team has confirmed he will skip the upcoming tournaments in Latin America to focus on recovery, with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero saying privately that Carlos is “not in a good headspace” and needs time away from the spotlight.

Virginia ended the interview with a heartfelt message: “I just want my son back—the happy, smiling Carlos who plays with joy. He’s not a machine. He’s a human being. Please, have some compassion. Stop the attacks. Let him be.”

As the tennis world watches, Carlos Alcaraz’s story has become a stark reminder of the toll relentless criticism and baseless accusations can take—even on the sport’s brightest stars. His mother’s tears have sparked a broader conversation about mental health, online toxicity, and the responsibility fans and media bear toward athletes. For now, the young champion rests at home, surrounded by family, hoping time and understanding will help him heal from a victory that turned into a nightmare.