At just 22, Carlos Alcaraz stands as one of tennis’s brightest stars, a five-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 whose explosive game has drawn comparisons to legends like Rafael Nadal. Yet, as he prepares for the 2025 US Open, where he’ll partner with Emma Raducanu in mixed doubles, renowned coach Rick Macci—famed for shaping the careers of Serena and Venus Williams—believes Alcaraz has untapped potential to reach even greater heights. In a recent social media post, Macci outlined a strategic roadmap for the Spaniard, urging him to dominate the court’s center to unlock the next level of his already formidable game.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and challenges. He began the year with a bang, capturing his first indoor ATP 500 title in Rotterdam and his sixth Masters 1000 crown at the Monte-Carlo Masters, defeating Lorenzo Musetti 3-6, 6-1, 6-0. His clay-court dominance continued with a second consecutive French Open title, outlasting Jannik Sinner in a historic five-hour, 29-minute final—the longest in Roland Garros history. Alcaraz’s victory over Sinner in Rome’s Italian Open final, snapping the Italian’s 26-match win streak, further solidified his clay mastery, making him the third man after Nadal and Novak Djokovic to win every major clay title. However, a groin injury forced withdrawals from the Madrid Open and Barcelona Open, and a four-set loss to Sinner in the Wimbledon final marked his first Grand Slam final defeat, dropping him to No. 3 in the ATP rankings.
Macci, whose coaching pedigree includes mentoring Maria Sharapova and Andy Roddick, sees Alcaraz’s athleticism as both a strength and a potential pitfall. “Carlos can go to the next level if he controls the center of the court,” Macci advised. “Because he is the Spanish Cheetah, he can play too far back and run track. If he is dealing the cards on the rise and plays with his eyes, he has a better shot at the prize.” This tactical shift, Macci argues, would leverage Alcaraz’s speed—nicknamed for his relentless court coverage—while minimizing the defensive tendencies that can leave him vulnerable against players like Sinner, who outmaneuvered him at Wimbledon. By stepping into the court and dictating play earlier, Alcaraz could enhance his aggressive baseline game, blending his signature forehand drop shot with sharper decision-making.
Alcaraz’s coaching team, led by former World No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero since 2019, has been instrumental in his rise. Ferrero, who guided Alcaraz to his 2022 US Open title and a career-high No. 1 ranking at age 19, has focused on tactical maturity and mental resilience. “The mental side is something we’ve tried to work on with him for a long time,” Ferrero said during the 2025 French Open, emphasizing routines and match preparation. The addition of Samuel Lopez in December 2024 has further strengthened the team, with Lopez refining Alcaraz’s serve and emotional balance. “We have put a lot of emphasis on him being himself,” Lopez noted after Rotterdam, highlighting the importance of Alcaraz’s on-court identity. The duo’s synergy was evident in Monte-Carlo, where Lopez led courtside in Ferrero’s absence, helping Alcaraz secure his 19th career title.
Despite his stellar 2025, with 20 wins in 22 matches before Wimbledon, Alcaraz faced criticism for inconsistency, particularly after early exits in Cincinnati and Paris in 2024. Macci, however, remains a staunch defender. “Carlos is the most gifted player on tour,” he declared in February 2025, praising Alcaraz’s “adventurous” game, which blends risk and reward with fearless shot-making. Macci’s earlier rebuttal to Boris Becker’s 2023 claim that Alcaraz had “stagnated” underscored his belief in the Spaniard’s growth through adversity. “He got better by losing,” Macci said, noting that setbacks fuel Alcaraz’s motivation to refine his mental game.
As Alcaraz eyes the US Open, where he’s a favorite to reclaim the title he won in 2022, his partnership with Raducanu in mixed doubles adds excitement. “She’s gonna be the boss,” Alcaraz quipped, reflecting their camaraderie from 2021. His decision to skip the Toronto Open to recover from “small muscle issues” after Wimbledon highlights his focus on peaking in New York. With Ferrero and Lopez by his side, and Macci’s strategic insights echoing, Alcaraz’s quest to dominate the court’s center could propel him past rivals like Sinner, who trails him 8-5 in their head-to-head. As Macci put it, “The Spanish Magician’s game is more adventurous than anybody.” For Alcaraz, the US Open is the next canvas to paint his masterpiece.
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