Former Grand Slam semi-finalist praises Carlos Alcaraz for making a move ‘worth gold’ recently which has paid off immediately

In the high-stakes world of professional tennis, where every strategic decision can mean the difference between triumph and defeat, Carlos Alcaraz has recently made a move that a former Grand Slam semi-finalist has lauded as “worth gold.” This astute adjustment to his preparation has seemingly paid immediate dividends, reaffirming Alcaraz’s status as one of the most astute minds in the sport.

The praise for Alcaraz’s tactical brilliance comes from none other than Lorenzo Musetti, the talented Italian player who recently faced the Spaniard in a compelling final in Rome. While Musetti ultimately fell to Alcaraz in that encounter, he recognized the sheer effectiveness of Alcaraz’s preparation and strategic approach, particularly in the lead-up to the clay-court season.

Alcaraz’s decision to play an exhibition match in Puerto Rico, followed by another appearance in the “Six Kings Slam” in Saudi Arabia and various off-season exhibitions, had initially drawn a degree of skepticism. Critics, including former tennis great Andy Roddick, had openly voiced concerns that such a packed schedule of non-ranking events could lead to fatigue and impact Alcaraz’s performance in major ATP tournaments. Indeed, Alcaraz had even opted to forgo a traditional Australian Open warm-up event, a choice that raised some eyebrows.

However, Alcaraz’s long-time coach and mentor, Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former world No. 1 himself, robustly defended his protégé’s strategy. Ferrero passionately argued that these exhibition matches serve a crucial purpose: they help Alcaraz to de-stress, unwind, and maintain a high level of intensity in a more relaxed and entertaining setting. Alcaraz himself expressed excitement at playing before Spanish-speaking crowds, having had memorable past experiences with Latino audiences.

The “move worth gold” that Musetti is likely referring to is not just a single event, but rather Alcaraz’s overall approach to scheduling and match preparation, particularly on clay. After some initial struggles on the surface this year, including an early exit from the Miami Open and a withdrawal from the Madrid Masters due to a right arm injury, Alcaraz opted for a more proactive approach. He accepted a wild card into the Monte-Carlo Masters, where he secured his first ever win at the tournament, shaking off a sluggish start to defeat Francisco Cerundolo.

Musetti, reflecting on his defeat to Alcaraz in Rome, acknowledged the Spaniard’s unique “aura” on court and the pressure he exerts on opponents. “Carlos is already a legend of this sport, despite being younger than me,” Musetti commented. “He’s a record-breaking guy, and on the court you feel like he has a kind of aura, so to speak. Today, honestly, I think I played a fantastic first set, which made him change something in his tennis.”¹

This suggests that Alcaraz’s strategic acumen extends beyond just physical preparation; it also encompasses his ability to adapt and evolve his game mid-match, forcing opponents to adjust. His performance in Rome against Jannik Sinner, which he described as “probably one of the best matches I played so far in terms of level, maintain all the level during the whole match,” further highlighted his tactical prowess. Alcaraz revealed his focused mindset against a formidable opponent like Sinner: “I have to be ready and I have to think clear every time that I’m going to play the point or a game, the things that I have to do if I miss just to keep it and yeah, at the beginning I knew what I have to do, and I maintained that kind of strategy during the whole match.”²

The immediate payoff for Alcaraz’s strategic planning and in-match adjustments has been evident. He has recently climbed back to world No. 2, having captured his seventh ATP Masters 1000 title in Rome. This victory also made him just the fifth man to triumph at all three clay-court ATP Masters 1000 events, a remarkable feat that places him in elite company alongside Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Gustavo Kuerten, and Marcelo Rios.

As Alcaraz now turns his attention to defending his title at Roland Garros, his meticulous planning continues. After his triumph in Rome, he embarked on a brief retreat home for rejuvenation before heading to Paris for intense training sessions at the Grand Slam venue. This comprehensive approach, balancing competitive play with strategic rest and focused preparation, is precisely what Musetti described as “worth gold” – a testament to Alcaraz’s maturity and foresight beyond his years. The tennis world eagerly awaits to see if this golden strategy will lead to another Grand Slam crown.