Carlos Alcaraz has never been one to shy away from pushing his body to the edge. The young Spaniard, who has already won six Grand Slam titles, continues to show why he’s built differently from the rest of his generation. In a world where the smallest physical edge can make the difference between glory and defeat, Alcaraz has now turned to one of the most intense training practices in modern sports. What’s it?

Recently, Alcaraz elevated his training regime with a bold and somewhat controversial approach that involves briefly restricting his own blood circulation. Fans were left stunned after spotting the 22-year-old wearing black straps around his legs during a warm-up at the ATP Finals in Turin. Everyone wondered if the Spaniard was dealing with some underlying injuries.

But the reality is these bands aren’t for fashion or comfort—they’re called BFR bands. These devices restrict circulation to the limbs, helping athletes strengthen muscles and prepare their bodies for competition. Carlos Alcaraz was first seen using this on his right arm in 2023, and then later on he incorporated them into both arms, and now he was seen doing the same thing on his legs during a gym session.

These bands were originally developed for injury rehabilitation. It tricks the body into thinking it’s under extreme strain, even when lifting lighter weights. For example, a person lifting just 20 kg can mimic the muscle strain of performing a 100-kg squat. The result? Greater muscle growth, endurance, and explosiveness—all while minimizing the risk of overtraining.

This practice has now expanded from medical use to fitness centers and eventually to elite sports. But let me tell you that Carlos Alcaraz wasn’t the first sports superstar to use this type of extreme method. According to Pedro L. Valenzuela, a researcher at Madrid’s 12 de Octubre Hospital, “Badminton player Carolina Marin used them during recovery from a serious knee injury. From there, they spread to athletes in general, because blood restriction helps build muscle even with low loads.” However, Alcaraz uses BFR bands at tournaments for ischemic preconditioning.

In this process, the bands are applied with higher pressure, completely cutting off circulation for up to 5 minutes, and then when they’re removed, blood rushes back into the muscles, delivering more oxygen and improving mobility. This process reduces pain and potentially also enhances performance during the matches.

However, athletes with vascular issues risk thrombosis and may refrain from even trying it. According to Valenzuela, “Some people don't like them because they cause an unpleasant sensation. It's what we call the nocebo effect. It's like having your blood pressure taken for five minutes: your feet start to go numb, you feel a tingling sensation... Some people don't want to use them.”

For Carlos Alcaraz, whose game thrives on power and speed, such innovation is no surprise. And even in the past, we’ve seen him making full use of modern technologies to take his game to further levels. For example, there have been multiple instances in the past where we’ve seen him wearing black tape on his nose during his matches. Even then, there were a lot of curiosities about what ‌the purpose was of this mysterious tape. Later on, as per the Sleep Foundation, those nasal strips are pieces of adhesive tape placed on the nose with the intention of widening the nostrils and increasing airflow, improving breathing as a result.

In a sport where the physical and mental demands only grow fiercer with each passing year, Carlos Alcaraz’s willingness to experiment with new technologies for further improvement sends a clear message to his rivals: he’s not just chasing greatness; he’s building it, one extreme session at a time. What’s up next for the Spaniard, though?

A win against Lorenzo Musetti could bring Carlos Alcaraz double rewards

Carlos Alcaraz has never been one to shy away from pressure as well. Whether it’s on the biggest Grand Slam stages or under the bright lights of the ATP Finals, he has built a reputation for thriving when the stakes are highest. Now, as he gears up to face Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, Alcaraz finds himself on the cusp of not one—but two monumental rewards.

For the young Spaniard, this battle against Musetti isn’t just another group-stage encounter. A win would not only secure him the top spot in his group at the ATP Finals but also crown him the ATP Year-End No. 1—an honor every player dreams of but only a select few ever achieve.

After securing an easy victory against Alex de Minaur in the first match, Carlos Alcaraz was put to a real test against Taylor Fritz. Despite losing the first game, he eventually managed to win the match by 6(2)-7, 7-5, 6-3. Talking about his performance in that match, he even admitted, “Well, it was pretty tight, the match. I think I was running more than him, struggling more than him.”

Alcaraz was quite relieved to end that match on a winning note, but he needs to keep things a bit tidy in the next to fulfill his goal of finishing the year on the highest note. However, when asked to share his thoughts about nearing the world number one glory, he said, “I try not to think about it, to be honest. Obviously, it’s going to be a really big match for me; I will try to not let the nerves play a part in that match. I will try to control my emotions, control myself. I will try to think about my goals in the match, try to think about feeling much better than today, with the shots, the serve, with everything, but obviously, it’s going to be a big day.”

Carlos Alcaraz has faced Lorenzo Musetti 8 times in his career, and guess what? He has gotten the better of the Italian 7 times. Could we possibly see a similar dominance this time, or can we expect a surprise in Turin?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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