Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, is charging toward a second consecutive French Open title, and his quarterfinal demolition of American Tommy Paul on June 3, 2025, at Roland Garros showcased exactly why he’s a nightmare for opponents. The world No. 2 dispatched Paul 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 in a swift 1 hour and 43 minutes, advancing to his third straight semifinal at the clay-court Grand Slam. In the aftermath, Alcaraz offered a rare glimpse into the strategy behind his physically punishing style, explaining how his relentless pace and intensity exhaust rivals, leaving them scrambling to keep up. “I think I put some high speed on my shots during the whole match, that probably some players are not used to play at such high speed or intensity,” Alcaraz said, a statement that underscores the physical toll his game imposes on even the most seasoned competitors.
Alcaraz’s match against Paul was a masterclass in controlled aggression. From the outset, he overwhelmed the No. 12 seed with blistering forehands and lightning-fast court coverage, racing to a 6-0, 6-1 lead in just 51 minutes. Paul, known for his athleticism, managed a late rally in the third set, breaking Alcaraz’s serve to narrow the gap, but the Spaniard’s relentless pressure proved too much. “I’m just playing great tennis on clay,” Alcaraz noted, reflecting on his comfort on the surface where he’s now amassed a 33-2 record since May 2024. His ability to maintain high intensity across long rallies, combined with his signature drop shots and explosive sprints, forces opponents into a grueling battle of attrition. This approach, Alcaraz explained, gives him a psychological edge: “So that gives me confidence.”[](https://x.com/TennisONEApp/status/1931226415137210811)
The Spaniard’s physical dominance is no accident. Coached by former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz has honed a game that blends Rafael Nadal’s tenacity, Novak Djokovic’s court coverage, and Roger Federer’s touch, as Djokovic himself has praised: “He combines the best of all three worlds.” His 12-1 record in five-set matches, the highest success rate in tennis history at 92.3%, speaks to his endurance and mental fortitude. Against Paul, Alcaraz’s 27 winners and just 15 unforced errors highlighted his efficiency, while his ability to slide and defend on clay—reminiscent of Nadal—kept Paul on the defensive. “Carlos brings so much energy and intensity on the court,” Djokovic once said, noting how Alcaraz “always demands the best of his opponent” to even have a chance at victory.
Alcaraz’s path to the semifinals was not without challenges. His third-round clash with Damir Dzumhur went four sets, and he survived a tense fourth-round battle against Ben Shelton, where he admitted to breaking rules but displayed sportsmanship by owning up to it., His clay season, marred by a right forearm injury that forced withdrawals from Monte Carlo and Barcelona, had been shaky, but Alcaraz has found his rhythm in Paris. His recent tweaks—adding five grams of lead tape to his Babolat racket for more power and refining his serve for fluidity—have amplified his already formidable game, making him even more daunting., “I’m feeling great physically and mentally,” Alcaraz said earlier this year, a sentiment echoed in his dominant Roland Garros run.
The physical demands of Alcaraz’s style have left a trail of worn-out opponents. In his rivalry with Jannik Sinner, whom he faces in the 2025 French Open final, Alcaraz has won all three meetings in 2024, including an epic three-hour, 21-minute China Open final. Sinner, no stranger to physical battles, called Alcaraz “a very tough opponent,” noting the “very high level of tennis” required to compete. Even Novak Djokovic, who defeated Alcaraz in a grueling Australian Open quarterfinal in 2025, likened their matches to his battles with Nadal for their “intensity and energy.” Alcaraz’s ability to sustain high-speed shot-making and relentless defense, especially on clay, often pushes rivals to their physical limits, as seen when Lorenzo Musetti retired injured in their semifinal clash.
As Alcaraz prepares for Sinner in the final, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation for another chapter in their “potentially era-defining” rivalry. At just 22, Alcaraz’s four Grand Slam titles, including his 2022 US Open and back-to-back Wimbledon crowns, mark him as a generational talent. His off-court humility, praised by peers like Frances Tiafoe and Roberto Bautista Agut, only enhances his appeal. Yet it’s his on-court ferocity—described by Sinner as “beast”-like—that makes him a force to be reckoned with. As he aims for a fifth major, Alcaraz’s ability to physically drain rivals remains his secret weapon, one that could cement his legacy as the next great Spaniard after Nadal.
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