'Enough To Make Me Cry': Criticisms Of Carlos Alcaraz Slammed By Former World No. 2
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Two-time French Open finalist Alex Corretja has passionately defended Carlos Alcaraz from criticism, saying his dissenters have no idea how hard it is to achieve what he has.
Some, such as John McEnroe, consider Alcaraz the most complete young player in tennis history. That is a significant claim considering the history of great players seen down the years.
However, Alcaraz's style is undoubtedly unique and great to watch. He combines incredible athleticism with powerful groundstrokes, delicate drop shots, and a willingness to move to the net.
While tennis is in a great place overall, it is fair to say there has been an increase in the number of players who play a repetitive style of hitting from the baseline and do not want to deviate from that style.
By contrast, Alcaraz thrives on thrilling the crowd by mixing things up and showing his range of talent. Doubles legend Todd Woodbridge thinks he is the most entertaining player to watch since Roger Federer.
Usually, the most interesting sporting rivalries are between two contrasting styles and personalities. That is why Alcaraz's rivalry with Jannik Sinner could become one of the greatest in tennis history based on their first few years competing against each other.
The pair have contested incredible matches, including five-set battles at the 2022 US Open and last year's French Open. Another example was Alcaraz outlasting Sinner in a three-hour epic in the China Open final.
While Alcaraz smiles on the court and likes to entertain fans, Sinner is more ruthless and focused on getting the job done. Former ATP world No. 1 Andy Roddick summed it up well by saying the Spaniard is not a machine like Sinner is.
Some harshly criticize Alcaraz when he plays badly despite the incredible amount the 21-year-old has achieved at a young age. That shows the high expectations on his shoulders already because of his talent.
Alcaraz's style also means it can seem like he is not giving 100% during challenging moments, even though that is not true. He sometimes struggles with stopping his game from unraveling when struggling.
However, that is a skill he will undoubtedly learn, and it does not mean he is not trying. In an interview with MARCA, Corretja hit out at those who criticize Alcaraz and says his compatriot is achieving exceptional things.
"The criticisms of Alcaraz make me laugh but they are also enough to make me cry. They are a clear demonstration of the little knowledge we have of things other than our own and the vehemence we have in giving our opinions on them. I think that what he is doing is spectacular and that his last season was exceptional. I give him a 9.95 if not a 10."
Corretja acknowledges that Alcaraz has room for improvement in some areas but emphasized that he is doing well and thinks he will likely win a Grand Slam in 2025.
"I think that many of the people who give their opinions have no idea how difficult it is to achieve what he is doing. Alcaraz is having a great career and still has room for improvement to continue growing. What's more, if Alcaraz did not win a Grand Slam this year for me it would be a surprise, starting with Australia. If he is physically fit he can have a great tournament and, why not, win it."
