Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish tennis prodigy, has recently shed light on the strenuous season that was 2024, which he deems as a mixed bag of triumphs and setbacks. The tennis star spoke candidly about his struggles, both on and off the court, specifically the devastating injuries that nearly derailed his promising career.
Having won his second Grand Slam of the season, Alcaraz was quick to become the center of attention. His back-to-back Grand Slam wins in 2024, coupled with an Olympic silver medal, painted what seemed like a perfect season for the young Spaniard. However, the road to glory was far from smooth for the El Palmar native.
In 2024, Alcaraz stood as the world’s No. 2 in tennis, securing multiple Grand Slam titles for the first time in his career. At 21, he became the youngest male player to achieve this feat in professional tennis history, securing his first Roland-Garros title and successfully defending his Wimbledon title. But just as he was basking in his rise to stardom, an unforeseen adversary struck – a debilitating injury.
Alcaraz opened up about this challenging period during a podcast with Molusco TV. “2024 was my worst moment in tennis due to a severe forearm injury I suffered during the clay tour in April,” he revealed. This injury forced him to withdraw from several tournaments, including those in his home country, stalling his preparation for the French Open.
The injury-induced doubt was crippling for Alcaraz. “I had many doubts about whether I was going to feel good again, to be able to hit the ball normally,” he confessed. His struggle was exacerbated by false hope, as he was repeatedly told that he’d be back in action in two weeks, a promise that was constantly broken.
The young star’s injury saga began at the 2024 Rio Open, where an ankle issue forced him to retire after merely two games. However, Alcaraz demonstrated his resilience, making a strong comeback by winning the Indian Wells Masters and reaching the Miami Open quarterfinals.
Yet, another setback awaited him in the form of a forearm injury, sidelining him from the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open. Despite these challenges, he made a heartening comeback at Madrid, though was forced to withdraw from the Italian Open later. Entering Roland-Garros with limited match play and a protective sleeve on his arm, Alcaraz defied all odds to claim his first Roland Garros title.
As the tension between Alcaraz and Italian sensation Jannik Sinner escalates, Alcaraz’s opportunity to reclaim his top position is further intensified by Sinner’s three-month hiatus following a doping controversy.
This possible power shift brings us to the question of whether Alcaraz and Sinner can fill the void left by the Big 3 in tennis. Speaking on this, Alcaraz stated, “The trio of Roger, Rafa, and Novak have set stratospheric standards in tennis. Young players, including myself, can aim for big wins, but replicating their rivalry is nearly impossible.”
Indeed, the Big 3’s legacy in tennis is unparalleled. Over two decades, the trio secured an astounding 66 Grand Slam titles amongst them, with Djokovic leading with a record 24 majors. The trio’s dominance extended beyond trophies, as they held the top three ATP rankings together on eight occasions.
As Alcaraz gears up for the upcoming BNP Paribas Open, fans eagerly watch to see if he can maintain his form and consistency. Can Alcaraz overcome his past struggles and reclaim his top position? Only time will tell.