What stands out most about Carlos Alcaraz , beyond his divine talent and superhuman shot-making, is that ever-present smile: a constant companion whether he wins a point or loses one. Always gracious, always glowing, the Spaniard radiates joy even in battle. “Having a smile on my face is the key to everything I do. I smile a lot when I play and that reflects on my game,” he even told Le Figaro. Yet ironically, that same smile once worked against him, as WTA star Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova confessed she didn’t like Alcaraz when they first met, all because of that relentless, unforgettable grin.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who closed her season after the US Open and currently sits at world No. 47, recently offered a candid reflection on her first encounter with Carlos Alcaraz.

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