Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis sensation and four-time Grand Slam champion, has long been celebrated for his electrifying play and infectious charisma. Yet, recent revelations about his off-court lifestyle, detailed in the Netflix documentary Carlos Alcaraz: My Way, have ignited a firestorm of discussion in the tennis world. Alcaraz’s candid admission of indulging in heavy partying in Ibiza before his Wimbledon triumphs in 2023 and 2024 has drawn both admiration for his honesty and sharp criticism from former players, with one issuing a stern warning about his Grand Slam ambitions. As Alcaraz prepares for the Madrid Open, where he faces Dominik Koepfer in the second round on April 27, 2025, the debate over his lifestyle and its impact on his career is intensifying.
In the documentary, Alcaraz revealed that he defied his team’s advice to unwind in Ibiza after a grueling 2023 French Open semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic, where nerves and cramps derailed him. “I wanted to go there basically to just get wasted,” he confessed, describing his trip as a chance to “reventar”—a Spanish term implying letting loose or bursting. “In Ibiza, I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty much all about partying and going out,” he added, acknowledging that he sometimes drinks “more than I should.” The trip, taken with friends, was a deliberate break from the pressures of professional tennis, and Alcaraz credits it with refreshing him for his first Wimbledon title weeks later. He repeated the Ibiza escape in 2024, despite objections from his agent Albert Molina and coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, and went on to defend his Wimbledon crown against Djokovic in straight sets. “I’m not saying partying helped me win, but taking that time off was good for me,” Alcaraz said, emphasizing the mental reset it provided.
However, not everyone is convinced that Alcaraz’s approach is sustainable. Roberto Bautista Agut, a former world No. 9 and fellow Spaniard, issued a pointed warning about the young star’s lifestyle. “If he wants to get close to the level of the three cracks [Djokovic, Nadal, Federer], he needs to maintain consistency over time,” Bautista Agut said. “Late nights won’t help him achieve that.” His comments, echoed in posts on X, highlight concerns that Alcaraz’s off-court indulgences could hinder his quest to match the longevity and dominance of tennis’s Big Three, who collectively won 66 Grand Slam titles. Bautista Agut’s critique underscores the immense expectations placed on Alcaraz, who, at 21, has already claimed the 2022 US Open, 2023 Wimbledon, and 2024 French Open and Wimbledon titles, making him the youngest man to win majors on all three surfaces.
Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former world No. 1, also expressed reservations in the documentary, questioning whether his protégé has the discipline to become the greatest ever. “He has a different way of understanding work and sacrifice,” Ferrero said, contrasting Alcaraz’s approach with Djokovic’s relentless professionalism. Ferrero’s frustration was evident when he noted, “We all knew amongst ourselves that he shouldn’t have gone to Ibiza,” especially after Alcaraz’s 2024 Queen’s Club loss to Jack Draper shortly after his second Ibiza trip. Despite these concerns, Alcaraz remains unapologetic, asserting his growing autonomy. “They always want to protect me, but I’m getting older, I’m starting to make my own decisions, and that’s what I want,” he declared, signaling a shift toward prioritizing personal happiness alongside his career.
The tennis world is divided. Some fans on X praise Alcaraz’s authenticity, with one calling him “irresistible, like a puppy,” while others worry his openness exposes vulnerabilities that rivals like Jannik Sinner or Alexander Zverev could exploit. Alcaraz’s recent struggles—losses to Draper at Indian Wells, David Goffin at the Miami Open, and Djokovic at the Australian Open—have fueled speculation about his focus. “Mentally, sometimes he looks a little bit saturated,” said former player Alex Corretja, suggesting Alcaraz needs more tranquility to maintain his edge. Yet, his clay-court resurgence, including a Monte-Carlo Masters title and a Barcelona Open win over Ethan Quinn, shows he remains a force, especially on his favored surface.
As Alcaraz navigates the clay season, with the Italian Open and Roland Garros on the horizon, he’s tempering expectations. “I’m going to give importance to what really matters to me—going out there and enjoying myself, whether I win or lose,” he said after Monte-Carlo, a mindset that reflects his desire to keep tennis fun rather than an “obligation.” His 37–21 record against top-10 players and 18 ATP titles, including six Masters 1000 crowns, prove his talent, but Bautista Agut’s warning looms large: consistency, not just brilliance, will define his legacy. With Nadal retired and Djokovic nearing 38, Alcaraz is the torchbearer for a new era, but his Ibiza escapades have sparked a crucial question: can he balance living life to the fullest with the sacrifices needed to dominate tennis history?