As the clay court season heats up, former world No. 1 Dinara Safina has added her voice to the chorus of praise for Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish sensation who continues to dazzle the tennis world. In a recent conversation with fellow WTA veteran Daniela Hantuchova, Safina shared her candid admiration for Alcaraz, singling him out as the ultimate example of a player who seamlessly blends relentless hard work with an infectious love for the game. Her remarks, made as Alcaraz prepares for a return to action at the Italian Open following an injury-marred start to 2025, highlight why the four-time Grand Slam champion remains a beacon of inspiration for players and fans alike.
Safina, who reached three Grand Slam finals and held the top ranking for 26 weeks before retiring in 2014 due to a chronic back injury, knows the pressures of elite tennis firsthand. Reflecting on Alcaraz’s ability to thrive under those demands, she said, “100% it can also be fun, it’s not 100% you know, dying on the court, it’s 100% of fun, you enjoy, you play tennis.” For Safina, Alcaraz embodies the ideal balance: “Between hard-working and enjoying, he goes on the court and he really sweats, he works hard, but he’s enjoying his job at the end.” This perspective resonates deeply in a sport where mental and physical endurance are often tested to the limit, and Alcaraz’s ability to maintain joy amid the grind sets him apart.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been a testament to his resilience. After a rocky start, including a shock loss to David Goffin at the Miami Open and withdrawals from Madrid and Barcelona due to a right forearm injury, he roared back on clay, clinching the Monte-Carlo Masters title with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 win over Lorenzo Musetti. His aggressive tactics—marked by a 44% increase in first-serve returns landed—proved decisive, as he explained: “I didn’t start well. I made a lot of mistakes… I just knew that I had to do something else, play more aggressively and play my own tennis—drop shots, going to the net and more aggression.” This adaptability, coupled with his unrelenting work ethic, mirrors the qualities Safina admires.
Off the court, Alcaraz’s approach to life further underscores Safina’s praise. Before his maiden Wimbledon title in 2023, he took time to unwind in Ibiza, later reflecting, “In Ibiza, I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty much all about partying and going out. I basically went there to blow off steam. When I got back, I won Queen’s and Wimbledon. I’m not saying I won because of the partying, but those days were good for me.” This ability to balance intense preparation with moments of levity has fueled his success, allowing him to amass 18 ATP titles, including four majors, and earn over $50 million in prize money—more than all but seven players in ATP history.
Safina’s endorsement carries weight, given her own storied career and recent return to tennis as a coach to world No. 13 Diana Shnaider. Her insights into Alcaraz also reflect her broader philosophy on the sport, shaped by her struggles with pressure as world No. 1. “I always had a dream to be famous, No 1 and all this, but then suddenly I felt so much pressure being there,” she once said, contrasting her experience with Alcaraz’s apparent ease in the spotlight. His ability to stay grounded, even after becoming the youngest man to win majors on all three surfaces (hard, clay, and grass) at the 2024 French Open, is a trait Safina clearly values.
As Alcaraz gears up for Rome, where he’ll face stiff competition from Jannik Sinner and a resurgent Jack Draper, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation. Safina’s praise underscores why Alcaraz remains a favorite, not just for his blistering forehands and acrobatic net play, but for his ability to make tennis look like a labor of love. With the French Open looming, where he’ll defend his 2024 title, Alcaraz’s blend of grit and joy could propel him back to world No. 1, further cementing his legacy as a player who, in Safina’s words, “really sweats” but always enjoys the ride.
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