The tennis world has been abuzz since the April 23, 2025, release of *Carlos Alcaraz: My Way*, a three-episode Netflix documentary that peels back the curtain on the life of the 22-year-old Spanish sensation. Chronicling his 2024 season, the series captures Carlos Alcaraz’s meteoric rise, his four Grand Slam titles, and his quest to balance global stardom with the joys of youth. Now, nearly two weeks after its debut, Carlos Moya, the former World No. 1 and longtime coach of Rafael Nadal, has broken his silence, offering a nuanced perspective on Alcaraz’s approach to tennis and life. Drawing parallels to his former protégé Nadal, Moya’s insights illuminate the delicate dance between discipline and personal fulfillment required to achieve greatness.
At just 22, Alcaraz has already etched his name among tennis’s elite, with 18 career titles, including the 2024 French Open and Wimbledon crowns. The documentary, filmed at major events like the Netflix Slam, Roland Garros, and the Olympics, reveals a young man grappling with the weight of expectations. Alcaraz’s candid admission, “I don’t want to be a slave to tennis,” sparked debate about whether his zest for life—evident in Ibiza getaways and time with friends—can coexist with his ambition to surpass the Big Three: Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic. Moya, who guided Nadal to 16 of his 22 Grand Slam titles from 2016 to 2024, addressed this tension with clarity. “It’s impossible to achieve what he has without discipline and hard work,” Moya stated, affirming that Alcaraz’s success stems from a rigorous work ethic, even if his public persona leans toward carefree enjoyment.
Moya’s comments also shed light on Nadal, whose retirement in November 2024 marked the end of an era. The documentary features Nadal, who cautions, “If you feel like you’re sacrificing too much, you probably won’t make it.” Yet, Moya pushed back against the notion that Nadal was solely a “slave to tennis.” “Rafa had a full life outside of tennis,” he said, revealing that Nadal enjoyed hobbies and personal time, albeit more privately than Alcaraz’s Formula 1 outings or yacht trips. “He wasn’t someone who went to as many events, but he had a lot of life,” Moya added, debunking the myth of Nadal as a one-dimensional workhorse. This balance, Moya suggested, was key to Nadal’s 209 weeks at No. 1 and five year-end No. 1 honors.
Alcaraz’s documentary, directed by Jorge Laplace, juxtaposes his on-court brilliance—highlighted by a historic Channel Slam in 2024—with off-court struggles, including mental exhaustion and an adductor injury that forced him out of the Madrid Open. His coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, expresses frustration at times, noting, “His understanding of work and sacrifice is so different from ours.” Moya, however, takes a measured view on Alcaraz’s lifestyle. “He’s 21, turning 22, and he has the right to live as he says. He’s not harming anyone, and he’s still winning,” Moya remarked, acknowledging Alcaraz’s four Grand Slams before age 22, a feat only Mats Wilander, Novak Djokovic, and Nadal achieved in the Open Era. Yet, he posed a critical question: “Is it sustainable in the long term? It’s hard to say.”
The documentary also explores Alcaraz’s resistance to being labeled “the next Nadal.” “I don’t want them to call me Rafa’s successor. I want to be called Carlos Alcaraz Garfia,” he asserts, a sentiment Nadal echoes: “When you’re young and they’re constantly comparing you, it can distort your daily life.” Moya, who coached Nadal through his rivalry with Federer and Djokovic, sees Alcaraz’s individuality as a strength but emphasizes the role of his team in guiding him. “He has his team advising him, guiding him, and telling him how things are,” Moya said, suggesting that Alcaraz’s inner circle, including Ferrero and agent Albert Molina, will be crucial in navigating the path ahead.
As Alcaraz prepares for the Italian Open, where he faces a tough draw, Moya’s reflections offer a broader perspective on the sacrifices and joys that define a champion’s journey. His own career, marked by a 1998 French Open title and two weeks at No. 1, informs his understanding of the grind. For Alcaraz, the documentary reveals a player who loves the game but cherishes life beyond it. “Happiness is an accomplishment,” he says, a mantra that resonates with Moya’s view that Nadal’s success was fueled by equilibrium. Whether Alcaraz can sustain his trajectory while carving his own path remains uncertain, but Moya’s endorsement of his discipline and team support signals confidence in a future where Alcaraz could indeed sit at the table with the Big Three—on his own terms.
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