Carlos Alcaraz began profitable vital titles as early as 2022, when he was not but 20 years outdated. The Spanish champion was very precocious, contemplating that he received two Masters 1000 and a Grand Slam title on the US Open that season.
Carlitos’ development continued within the following two years, additional testimony to the large abilities of this participant who can develop into probably the greatest ever. At simply 21 years outdated, Alcaraz has already received 4 Main titles, 5 Masters 1000 titles and was world No. 1 for 36 weeks.
Carlos Alcaraz, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
The 21-year-old from Murcia can play irresistible tennis for anybody on his finest days, having spectacular energy from the baseline and nice abilities even close to the web. Nonetheless – within the final twelve months – the rise of his nice rival Jannik Sinner has compelled him to work even tougher.
The Italian ace has fewer peaks than the Spaniard, however his consistency through the season is unmatched in the meanwhile. The present world No. 1 has suffered simply six defeats in all of 2024 and is about to surpass Carlos’ 36 weeks on the high of the ATP rating. As well as, the 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria additionally got here near Alcaraz within the rating of titles received. Jannik has put two Grand Slam titles, 4 Masters 1000 and the ATP Finals on his ‘board’. The Spanish ace is forward in H2H towards the Italian champion and this rivalry is destined to mark males’s tennis for at the very least the following decade.
Not one of the opponents appear to be at their degree, though Sascha Zverev has received many matches in 2024 and has entered second place within the ATP rating. Nonetheless, the German participant has but to win a Grand Slam title and struggles to play his finest tennis in a very powerful tournaments on the calendar.
Rick Macci on Sinner’s and Alcaraz
Just lately, former Serena Williams’ coach Rick Macci defined how Sinner’s rise forces Alcaraz to take an extra step: “The best thing about Sinner’s game is he knows there is so many elements that he can improve and sprinkle around his Flamethrower assault off the ground. His year-ending domination has caught the eye of every player in the top ten to step up or get stepped on.”
He additionally added: “Alcaraz will go to another elite level and be a double Grand Slam winner because of one main reason and that is a guy named Sinner.”
The younger Spaniard didn’t finish his season as he would have appreciated. The world quantity 3 was eradicated within the spherical of 16 on the Rolex Paris Masters and arrived on the ATP Finals in precarious situation because of a flu virus. The 4-time Grand Slam champion misplaced his first match to Casper Ruud in Turin, earlier than defeating Andrey Rublev.
Nonetheless – within the third match of the group stage – Carlitos needed to give up to an nearly flawless efficiency by Zverev who eradicated him from the match.
Alcaraz hoped to finish the yr in fashion by profitable the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga and giving one final title to his illustrious compatriot Rafa Nadal. Nonetheless, Spain’s run ended already on Day 1 towards Netherlands.
He paid tribute to his idol: “There will be many more Davis, there is only one Rafa ❤️ Thanks to you I have become a professional tennis player. It has been a blessing to be able to live your career as a child for whom you were an idol and then as a teammate! The best possible ambassador who leaves an eternal legacy 🙏🏻,” Alcaraz wrote on X.
Carlitos targets AO
The 21-year-old from Murcia will take just a few days off after which begin making ready for subsequent season. Carlos will practice in Spain along with the younger British expertise Jack Draper, who has simply skilled the most effective season of his profession. The Spaniard isn’t anticipated to play any official match earlier than the Australian Open.
Carlos Alcaraz, US Open 2024 © Stream screenshot
The Spaniard will attempt to win the one Grand Slam title he’s nonetheless lacking after triumphing twice at Wimbledon, as soon as at Roland Garros and as soon as on the US Open. The Australian Open is the Grand Slam match through which Carlitos has struggled probably the most up so far in his profession, having by no means gone past the quarterfinals.
The present world No. 3 should hope to not face Nole Djokovic already within the quarterfinals, because the Serbian legend will begin the 2025 AO because the No. 7 seed. Because of this Novak may face one of many high 4 gamers of the ATP rating already within the quarterfinals and can be a really harmful opponent for everybody in Melbourne. Alcaraz himself emphasised this idea throughout one of many final press conferences of his 2024.