During the US Open, an interviewer asked Carlos Alcaraz if, as a Spaniard, it was difficult for him to wake up early for an 11:30 a.m. match, a question that played into a tired stereotype that Spaniards are lazy or struggle with mornings.
Alcaraz responded with honesty and composure: “No, I am not a morning person. I find it difficult to get up in the morning. But today, I got up early, warmed up, and played well.”
His response highlighted two important points. First, the question itself showed a lack of cultural sensitivity, reducing an entire nationality to a cliché. Second, it demonstrated a lack of understanding of what tennis professionals actually do before stepping onto the court.
Players typically spend an hour to an hour and a half stretching and doing cardio, followed by at least another hour of practice before their match. Far from being lazy, the preparation reflects incredible discipline and physical commitment.
So no, not all Spaniards are lazy. And some, like Alcaraz, prove they are anything but.