Carlos Alcaraz Faces 'Unfair' Criticism And Expectations Says Former World No. 6

Wednesday, 02 April 2025 at 13:00

byErik Virostko

Carlos Alcaraz has failed to deliver the results that many expected of him in recent months, but such expectations are unfair, according to a former ATP World No. 6 player.

Alcaraz is a player that many tennis fans enjoy watching and many also expect to win. He is the type of player that sells tickets and attracts new fans, which is also one of the reasons why expectations put on him are incredibly high.

Like with the Big Three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, anytime Alcaraz doesn't win a tournament, it's considered a failure, as he's the favorite at any event that he enters, also because he's so good on all of the surfaces.

However, despite Alcaraz's loss to David Goffin in Miami recently, former ATP World No. 6 player Gilles Simon thinks that all the expectations that the Spaniard has to face are unfair.

Simon recently spoke to Tennis365, explaining that Alcaraz is already an incredibly successful tennis player, and fans can't expect him to win every event that he enters.

"The problem with this type of player is that they have a lot of attention, so in the end, every time we have big expectations for them. He won four Slams, and it’s crazy at his age. People are tough. It’s unbelievable what he has achieved already, and he will achieve much more than he did."

"Every time someone like him is losing, we make it a big deal, as he’s supposed to win everything. I don’t believe he’s this kind of person. He is a player where we know what he has in the racket, we know what he is able to do. Everybody in the end likes him and when he’s not winning, we are disappointed and we put it on him – and I think it’s unfair."

Simon was also asked whether Alcaraz would be able to bounce back during the clay-court part of the season. The Frenchman has no doubt that the 21-year-old will be able to boost his confidence with some wins again.

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"Sometimes, it’s a bit harder, but what I’m sure about is that he’s going to find a way again, and this is where it’s crazy. When he’s going to win, everyone is going to say: 'He’s back on track.' He’s going to win again. Is it going to be at the French Open, is it going to be at the tournament before?"

"Maybe he’s going to play a bit more because he lost, so he has maybe that need to be on court and win matches to build that confidence that will help him again to win the big title in the end."

Simon also mentioned Alcaraz's recent second-round loss in Miami. According to the 40-year-old Frenchman, fans should look at the bigger picture, instead of stressing about one loss.

"The problem is with the media, we are always panicking when someone is winning, they’re going to win everything for the next five years. No, it always changed, and suddenly it changed like this, and no one sees it coming – because they are not looking at the big picture."

"And the big picture is Carlos Alcaraz is a very special player, he has already achieved amazing things, and he will achieve amazing things again. When? He’s going to find a way. I don’t see anything as dramatic as it is."

"You can maybe lose two tournaments and maybe win again the French Open and Wimbledon. Then I want to ask all the people who talked badly about what he was doing right now: 'Ok, was it that important to lose in the first match in Miami?'"