Carlos Alcaraz has had some ups and downs this season, showing that he can still improve in the coming years. The former world number 1 has already achieved stratospheric results, confirming his predestined status, but he must continue to work hard if he wants to become one of the best players ever.
The young Spanish champion won two Grand Slam titles in 2024, the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships, completing this feat at just 21 years old. The champion from Murcia has proven to be a very versatile player, who can express an impressivetennis on any surface.
Carlitos was the top favorite to win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, considering that the Olympic tournament was played on his favorite surface (red clay). The Spanish ace reached the final without losing a set, but he stopped one step from the finish line against an amazing version of Novak Djokovic.
That defeat was very hard to digest for the four-time Grand Slam champion, who showed clear signs of nervousness in Cincinnati and at the US Open. The current world number 2 found his serenity early in the fall, shining in the Laver Cup and winning the ATP 500 in Beijing after defeating Jannik Sinner in an epic final.
Federer's advice
The 21-year-old from Murcia has a remarkable winning streak, which ended in the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters 1000 against Czech ace Tomas Machac. Before flying to Saudi Arabia to play the 'Six Kings Slam' (in which he was defeated by Sinner in the final), the Spaniard had the chance to practice with 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer right in the Chinese city.
In a recent interview with Central Court, Carlitos recalled that practice session with the Swiss legend: It was a privilege. We talked about how I should approach my matches, my style of play, my life off the court. He told me a lot of things Im going to keep for myself. Carlos and Roger had already met during the Laver Cup in Berlin last month, with the Spaniard having been instrumental in Team Europes victory over Team World.
A bright future
The young Spaniard is a bit like King Roger for his very complete and show-oriented playing style. It is no coincidence that the 21-year-old from Murcia has already won Wimbledon twice and has shone on all surfaces. In a recent interview with Sky Sports Tennis, former Australian champion Pat Cash praised Alcarazs amazing level on grass: He hasnt got a weakness. I almost think he is one of the best the best player I have ever seen on grass at his best.
Ever seen and I am talking about ever seen. Because he is a young guy, he has taken the best of Rafa, the best of Federer and he has been able to adapt that. Without these great players, he wouldnt have had that, and he admits that. He said without Rafa I wouldnt be where I am, but he has just taken the best of everything and somehow at the age of 21 has put it all together. I have never seen anything like that.
The Spaniard has already found his nemesis, Jannik Sinner, who is the only player who seems able to counter him in the next decade. The Italian ace is less complete from a play point of view, but has an unusual consistency throughout the season as shown by his results in 2024. Jannik and Carlitos have split the four Majors played in 2024 equally and are set to fight each other again next year for the top of the ATP ranking.
In a long interview with AS, 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal spoke about Alcaraz and Sinner: Things are cyclical and it is logical that when you end a time where there have been three players who have achieved, all three, more than any other in the history of our sport, it is clear that you end an era that has been unique and special for many reasons. But we are talking about another era, which already comes a player like Carlos - who has four Grand Slams - and Jannik two. There are champions every year and if they can keep up at this level, they will also be generating a lot of interest.
Over time that interest will grow for obvious reasons, because the great stars and characters are not made in two days. What makes them great is to endure in time and that it comes at a time that transcends the sport, that people really go to see those games, not only because they like tennis, but the one who will see the characters themselves.
