Carlos Alcaraz, the world’s third-best tennis player, is grappling with the intense pressure that comes with fame and success, according to former world No. 2, Alex Corretja. Alcaraz, a prodigious talent who bagged his first Masters 1000 title at the Miami Open three years ago at the tender age of 18, is set to return to the same court this week.
The Spanish sensation has had a dazzling journey in tennis so far, winning four Grand Slam titles and reigning as world No. 1 for 36 weeks. However, the glow of Alcaraz’s success has been dimmed by a few setbacks. In 2024, he skipped most of the clay season due to injury and suffered a devastating loss to Novak Djokovic in the Olympic gold medal match, followed by an early second-round exit at the US Open.
In a conversation with TNT Sports, Corretja highlighted that the 21-year-old tennis star is still in the process of finding his footing both on and off the court. He said, “For me, everything is very abrupt with Alcaraz. Everything happened so quickly. He is still searching and trying to understand who he is, still figuring out what the circuit is and what life is on it.”
Alcaraz’s rapid rise to stardom has placed him under intense scrutiny and pressure. Corretja explained, “Alcaraz has become a world star in the media and, therefore, has a very difficult weight on his young shoulders.” Despite his successes and privileges, the emotional and physical toll of being in the spotlight is significant. His team is working hard to strike a balance, so he can be at his best for important tournaments.
While Alcaraz’s shot-making prowess has been admired, he has been criticized for his lack of focus or consistency in high-stakes matches. This was evident during his unexpected loss in the Indian Wells semi-final last week, where his 16-match winning streak ended with a 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 loss to Jack Draper.
Corretja feels that Alcaraz needs to better understand how to secure a win even when he’s not at his best. He said, “There are days when he will not be able to do that. And I think there have been moments, especially last year, at Roland Garros, when he accepted it very well. But then, during the season, if he plays 70, 80 matches plus the others with commitments, there will be times when he will have to tighten his belt and accept that that day he simply has to win, maybe without feeling so brilliant, without giving so much of a show, but focusing on securing that match.”
Alcaraz, the second seed in Miami, is expected to begin his campaign on Friday against the seasoned David Goffin. He’s favored to clinch what would be his second title at the tournament, despite the pressure and the challenges that come with being a young tennis superstar.
