Carlos Alcaraz has a completeness in his game that has few equals in the history of this sport, especially for a player of just 21 years old. It is no coincidence that the young Spaniard has already won four Grand Slam titles and five Masters 1000, proving that he can be competitive on all surfaces.
In 2024, Carlitos became the youngest player ever to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same season. The former world No. 1 also won the Indian Wells Masters 1000 for the second year in a row, defeated his great rival Jannik Sinner in the Beijing ATP 500 final and won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics (losing to Novak Djokovic after a beautiful final).
Although his season has been very brilliant, the 4-time Grand Slam champion is number 3 in the world behind Sinner and Zverev. The 21-year-old from Murcia is able to reach impressive peaks, but he still lacks the consistency that would allow him to reach the top of the ATP ranking
His gap to Sinner amounts to almost 5000 points and Sascha’s overtaking in the last part of the season was a hard blow. The Spaniard still has too many ups and downs during the year and the psychological factor has a significant impact on his level. It is no coincidence that Alcaraz made a disaster at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 and especially at the US Open after losing the final of the Olympic tournament.
The world number 3 knows that he has to work to improve these aspects and he will do it together with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. Sinner’s level in 2024 requires Carlitos to reflect on himself so as not to lose ground and the Spaniard has no intention of watching the rise of his huge rival.
Clement opens up on Alcaraz
During an interview with Eurosport, former French ace Arnaud Clement spoke about Alcaraz’s current status: “Alcaraz knows how to do everything: his problem is knowing what to do at what time. Nadal and Federer could obviously help him in this regard.
Sometimes, it’s very clear in his head and he’s the embodiment of accuracy, at other times, he makes mistakes. And that often coincides with a lack of freshness, there’s work to be done on the programming at the exhibition level for example.
It depends on what he wants: to go for the greatest number of Grand Slam victories? He’s off to a good start, but it’s a long-term goal.”
The former world No. 1 spent a few days of vacation in the Dominican Republic and will soon fly to the United States, where he will face Ben Shelton in an exhibition match at Madison Square Garden on December 4th. Two days later, the 4-time Grand Slam champion will face Frances Tiafoe in another exhibition match in Charlotte.
The 21-year-old from Murcia wants to be ready for the Australian Open, where he has never played his best tennis up to this stage of his career. Alcaraz will also have to improve his results in the Masters 1000 tournaments, which were not so brilliant in 2024. Carlos won the Indian Wells Masters 1000 during the spring, but his level was very erratic over the rest of the season.
The Spaniard has won ‘only’ 75% of the matches in the Masters 1000 tournaments, having to miss the tournaments in Monte Carlo, Rome and Montreal.
Carlitos fears Djokovic
Carlitos will not only have to watch out for Sinner and Zverev in 2025, but also for a legend like Novak Djokovic. After experiencing one of the most complicated seasons of his entire career, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is intent on competing for the most important titles next year.
The Serbian ace knows he is inferior to Sinner and Alcaraz right now, but his new partnership with Andy Murray gives him confidence to return to the highest level.
“I feel I can still play at the highest level,” Djokovic said in a long interview with ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’.
“Sinner and Alcaraz have established themselves as the two best players in the world, not to forget Alexander Zverev. All of them will be the main candidates to win the Slams and other titles. However, physically and mentally, I am ready to play my tennis again, and I have the feeling that I can challenge these guys. My experience can come in handy” – he added.
In one of his last press conferences of the season, Alcaraz had urged all players not to underestimate Nole at the 2025 Australian Open. The 37-year-old from Belgrade will be the No.7 seed at Melbourne Park and could face Sinner or Alcaraz already in the quarterfinals.