As the tennis world converges on Miami for the prestigious Miami Open this sunlit morning of March 20, 2025, a passionate debate swirls around Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish prodigy who’s rewriting the sport’s record books. Fresh off a commanding title defense at Indian Wells—where he dispatched Daniil Medvedev in a swift 72-minute masterclass—Alcaraz is riding a wave of acclaim, his four Grand Slam trophies and No. 2 ranking a testament to his meteoric rise. Yet, amid the applause, a voice of staunch support has emerged from former world No. 2 Alex Corretja, who’s taken up the young star’s cause with a fiery declaration: “He is treated with brutality.” It’s a bold stance that peels back the curtain on the pressures Alcaraz faces, igniting a conversation about fairness, scrutiny, and the toll of greatness in a sport that never rests.
Corretja, a Spaniard himself with a storied career that includes two French Open finals and a Masters Cup title in 1998, knows the weight of expectation all too well. Speaking out this week, he painted a vivid picture of Alcaraz’s reality, arguing that the tennis community—fans, media, and even fellow players—holds him to an unforgiving standard. “After all he has achieved and the way he has burst onto the scene, the level of demand towards him is extremely high,” Corretja said, his tone a mix of admiration and frustration. “Sometimes it’s as if people forget he’s only 21 years old and think he should win every single tournament.” For Alcaraz, who clinched his first Slam at the 2022 US Open at just 19 and added Wimbledon 2023 and back-to-back Indian Wells crowns since, the bar is sky-high—and Corretja believes it’s bordering on unfair.
The brutality Corretja describes isn’t just about losses—it’s the relentless dissection of every misstep. Take Indian Wells: Alcaraz’s 6-2, 6-3 rout of Medvedev was a clinic, with 17 winners and a serve humming at 77% efficiency. “I’m really happy with my level,” he grinned post-match, exuding the confidence that’s become his trademark. Yet, even in victory, the chatter persists—could he have won faster? Should he have dropped fewer games? “It’s a crazy sport,” a top player recently mused about tennis’s ceaseless demands, and for Alcaraz, the spotlight burns hotter with each triumph. Corretja’s not blind to the talent—calling him “extraordinary”—but he’s adamant that the young Spaniard deserves room to breathe. “He’s doing things that are out of this world, but he’s human too,” he insisted.
This defense comes at a pivotal moment. Alcaraz enters Miami as a favorite, having won there in 2022, but the field is a gauntlet—Medvedev’s hungry for revenge, Nick Kyrgios is back with a vengeance, and Novak Djokovic, despite a shaky 2025, looms as a wildcard. Off the court, Alcaraz has also distanced himself from Djokovic’s PTPA lawsuit against tennis’s governing bodies, saying, “I do not support that,” after learning his own words were used without his knowledge. It’s a lot for a 21-year-old to juggle, and Corretja sees the strain. “The expectations are brutal because he’s already achieved so much,” he noted, pointing to Alcaraz’s battles against legends like Djokovic and Nadal—wins that have only heightened the clamor for more.
Corretja’s plea isn’t just about Alcaraz—it’s a broader call for perspective. He contrasts the Spaniard’s treatment with that of past greats, suggesting today’s instant-reaction culture amplifies the pressure. “Back in my day, you had time to grow,” he reflected, hinting at a tennis landscape now warped by social media and 24/7 analysis. Trending chatter on platforms backs this up—some fans marvel at Alcaraz’s poise, others nitpick every forehand. Yet, his resilience shines through. At Indian Wells, he weathered tough tests from Alexander Zverev and Tommy Paul, proving he thrives under fire. “I love the big moments,” he’s said, a mantra that’ll face its next trial in Miami’s humid crucible.
For Corretja, Alcaraz is a rare gem—a player whose “passion and energy” electrify the sport, yet one who deserves grace amid the grind. “He’s carrying Spain’s hopes, the next generation’s dreams,” he said, nodding to Rafael Nadal’s fading presence. As Alcaraz laces up for Miami, the tennis world watches not just for titles, but for how he bears this brutal burden. Will he silence the noise with another trophy, or will the weight, as Corretja fears, prove too much too soon? One thing’s certain: this extraordinary talent has a champion in his corner—and a battle ahead that’s as much about perception as it is about points.
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