At simply 21 years previous, Carlos Alcaraz has already received 4 Grand Slam titles and 5 Masters 1000 titles. The younger Spanish champion began profitable in 2022 and has already damaged a number of information, displaying the world all his huge expertise and revealing his ambitions to wish to develop into top-of-the-line gamers ever.
The 21-year-old from Murcia has already been world number one for 36 weeks, however is at the moment virtually 5000 factors from the primary place within the ATP rating.
Though he grew to become the youngest ever to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the identical yr, the present world No. 3 has not had the identical consistency as Jannik Sinner in 2024 and has additionally been overtaken by German ace Sascha Zverev within the latter a part of the season.
Carlos Alcaraz, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
A number of dips throughout 2024 have made a unfavourable distinction for Carlitos, who must restrict these ups and downs within the coming years to return to the highest of the ATP rating. Alcaraz’s peaks are unattainable for anybody, together with Sinner, however consistency continues to be one of many Spanish ace’s weaknesses.
Earlier than beginning the pre-season collectively together with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 4-time Grand Slam champion spent a number of days of trip together with his brother Alvaro within the Dominican Republic and performed a few exhibition matches in america. Most notably, Carlos confronted Ben Shelton at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York and fellow American Frances Tiafoe in Charlotte final week.
Carlitos has performed a number of exhibitions
Though he has complained a number of instances concerning the ATP calendar in current months, the previous world No. 1 has performed a number of exhibitions in 2024. Along with the 2 exhibition matches in opposition to Shelton and Tiafoe final week, Carlitos had additionally participated within the ‘Six Kings Slam’ in Saudi Arabia in October.
On the most recent version of the ‘Rennae Stubbs podcast’, Caitlin Thompson revealed how a lot the gamers who participated within the current exhibition at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York earned: “The rumor is that it is between $1 and $2 million, guaranteed. I have heard as much as $2 million.”
She additionally added: “I heard Jess and Emma got $100,000 and Ben got anywhere between $200,000 to $500,000. I have heard from a couple of different sources.”
Carlos Alcaraz, Madrid Masters© Stream screenshot
Though he has already received a number of very prestigious titles throughout his younger profession, the Spaniard is aware of very effectively wherein areas he can nonetheless enhance. 2024 has proven Carlitos what his present weaknesses are, reminiscent of the lack to keep up the identical depth all through the season. If he eliminates the ups and downs that also have an effect on him, the previous world number one has all the abilities to enter the checklist of one of the best gamers ever.
Plenty of classes
This season, the 21-year-old from Murcia has additionally realized tips on how to deal with some notably painful losses. The reference is above all to the ultimate of the Paris Olympics, wherein he was defeated by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic on the finish of a sensational battle. The 4-time Grand Slam champion was the highest favourite to win the gold medal on his favourite floor, however he did not handle his nerves effectively in opposition to a legend of contemporary sport. That loss had a major influence on Alcaraz’s thoughts, who was eradicated within the second spherical at each Cincinnati and the US Open.
As well as, the world quantity 3 can nonetheless enhance in indoor circumstances the place he struggles to play his greatest tennis. Carlos was eradicated within the spherical of 16 on the Rolex Paris Masters and within the group stage on the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. It’s honest to level out that an intestinal virus prevented him from being 100% in Turin, particularly in his first match in opposition to Casper Ruud.
Carlos Alcaraz, Laver Cup 2024© Stream screenshot
In a protracted interview with ‘Tennis365’, former French ace Jeremy Chardy talked about Alcaraz’s present standing: “I still think Carlos has a lot to improve. He is still playing like a young player still. He is going for everything and he has that energy, but I still feel there is more to come.
When you see him in a couple of years, you will see a more complete player and that is exciting.
What he has done already is amazing when you consider his age, but you would not say a player is complete at the age of 21.
We are lucky in tennis to have these two young players in Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner who can bring so much to the sport in the next few years
It’s still very early in the career for Sinner and Alcaraz so in a few years, maybe we can start to compare to the Big 3.”
