Carlos Alcaraz grew to become the youngest participant ever to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the identical yr, reaching this unimaginable feat in 2024 due to an distinctive degree. The younger Spaniard was virtually unstoppable between spring and summer season, shedding solely the ultimate of the Paris Olympics in opposition to Novak Djokovic.
The 21-year-old from Murcia dreamed of successful the gold medal for his nation and that loss to Nole had a big impression on his thoughts, as evidenced by subsequent second-round eliminations at each the Cincinnati Masters 1000 and the US Open. The 4-time Grand Slam champion has reached actually spectacular peaks once more this season, however he has lacked consistency all year long. It’s no coincidence that Carlitos ended his 2024 in third place within the ATP rating, additionally being overtaken by Alexander Zverev.
Carlos Alcaraz© Stream screenshot
Regardless of successful two Main titles and a Masters 1000 (Indian Wells), the Spaniard is nearly 5000 factors behind his nice rival Jannik Sinner. The world No. 1 has been rather more constant than him, successful eight titles and struggling solely six losses.
Carlitos is aware of that he has to work on this side if he desires to return to the highest of the ATP rating in 2025, which might be a very necessary yr for his profession. The present world quantity 3 is working towards onerous together with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and can begin the brand new season straight on the Australian Open, scheduled in Melbourne from 12 to 26 January.
Alcaraz has by no means shone in Australia up up to now in his profession, and his finest consequence was the quarterfinals in 2024. Carlos has added Samuel Lopez to his workforce and is making an attempt out completely different racket fashions throughout the pre-season, wanting to start out 2025 in the very best manner.
Laura Robson praises Carlitos
Virtually everybody agrees that Sinner was one of the best participant on this planet in 2024, having had an virtually unreal consistency from January till November.
Nevertheless – in keeping with former WTA star Laura Robson – Alcaraz’s feat in Paris and London deserves extra credit score.
“Well, I’ve gone for Alcaraz,” she stated in a latest interview with Sky Sports activities.
“I mean, you win Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back, and so few people have done that. You’re changing surfaces. It’s such a short amount of time between tournaments.
And then straight after that, he gets the Olympics and was very nearly coming home with a gold medal as well.
So just the three months basically that he put together was something special, and something that very few tennis players have been able to do” – Robson concluded.
Rafael Nadal & Carlos Alcaraz, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
The 21-year-old from Murcia performed a few exhibition matches in early December and a few followers criticised this selection, saying he ought to have spent that point getting ready. The previous world no 1 didn’t finish the season as he would have appreciated, additionally as a result of a little bit of dangerous luck. A flu virus struck him simply earlier than the beginning of the Nitto ATP Finals, stopping him from enjoying his finest tennis in Turin (the place he was eradicated already within the group stage).
The 4-time Grand Slam champion would have appreciated to assist his Spain on the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, the final occasion of Rafa Nadal’s legendary profession, however the dwelling idols have been eradicated by Netherlands already within the quarterfinals.
An unimaginable expertise
The Spanish ace is simply 21 years previous and has loads of time to enhance his sport even additional, however the victories he has already achieved have elevated the strain from followers and insiders. Alcaraz has a really immense expertise, he is ready to discover any resolution on the tennis courtroom and his pace is nearly unreal.
As time goes on, the previous world No. 1 should learn to use his pictures within the decisive moments of matches and find out how to protect his vitality throughout the lengthy season.
Carlos Alcaraz, Laver Cup 2024© Stream screenshot
On the newest version of the ‘Served with Andy Roddick podcast’, ATP legend and former World No.1 John McEnroe opened up on Carlitos’ superb expertise: “This guy’s the greatest talent that I’ve seen in the last 20 years. It is the most pleasure to watch Alcaraz maybe than I’ve ever seen, certainly at this age. I worry only because he’s 6 feet and a half inch tall and that these other guys are going to drive him absolutely nuts.”
The American additionally added: “He’s going to play these guys that simply serve out of a mountain and you realize get pissed off, which is what occurred on the finish of final yr. It occurred on a handful of events. It will be powerful. He is received to be actually robust.”
