At just 22, Carlos Alcaraz has already etched his name into tennis history, boasting four Grand Slam titles and a record as the youngest ATP world No. 1 in history. Yet, despite his dazzling achievements, the Spanish prodigy has faced a wave of scrutiny for his inconsistent 2025 season. Former world No. 9 Nicolas Almagro, a compatriot and clay court specialist, has stepped up to defend Alcaraz, passionately arguing that the criticism leveled at the young star is unfair and overlooks his extraordinary potential. As Alcaraz prepares to defend his Roland Garros title, Almagro’s spirited defense underscores the immense expectations placed on the Murcia native, whose journey from a teenage sensation to a global icon continues to captivate the tennis world.
Almagro, who retired in 2019 after a career that saw him win 13 ATP titles, mostly on clay, finds the relentless critique of Alcaraz perplexing. “What worries me is that there are people who can get away with criticising a kid who is destined to become one of the best athletes this country has ever produced,” Almagro said, his frustration evident. He argues that Alcaraz’s critics fail to appreciate the magnitude of his accomplishments at such a young age. With 19 ATP titles, including seven Masters 1000 crowns and victories at the 2022 US Open, 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon, and 2024 Roland Garros, Alcaraz’s resume is staggering. His recent Italian Open triumph over Jannik Sinner, a 7-6(5), 6-1 masterclass, marked his first Rome title and solidified his status as a clay court titan, joining Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Gustavo Kuerten, and Marcelo Rios as one of only five men to win all three clay Masters 1000 events. Yet, Almagro notes, “Everyone is giving their opinion on his life and doesn’t seem to want to leave him alone.”
The 2025 season has not been without challenges for Alcaraz. Early exits at the Australian Open and Qatar Open, coupled with a withdrawal from the Madrid Open due to muscle injuries, fueled detractors who questioned his consistency. The release of his Netflix documentary, Carlos Alcaraz: My Way, further intensified scrutiny, with some, including compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut, suggesting Alcaraz’s late-night social outings could hinder his pursuit of greatness. “I don’t think Alcaraz will win a Grand Slam by going to bed at seven in the morning,” Bautista remarked, urging the young star to emulate the discipline of Nadal, Djokovic, and Roger Federer to match their longevity. Almagro, however, dismisses such critiques as shortsighted. “You know what happens? We think it’s normal to win four Grand Slams and X Master 1000 tournaments at the age of 20,” he said, emphasizing that Alcaraz’s achievements are anything but ordinary.
Almagro’s defense is rooted in his own experience as a Murcia native who once carried Spanish tennis hopes. A quarterfinalist at Roland Garros in 2012, he knows the weight of expectations in a nation that produced Nadal, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Carlos Moya. “You’re free to express an opinion. But if you had to pay taxes to give an opinion, a lot of people wouldn’t,” Almagro quipped, highlighting the ease with which critics judge Alcaraz without context. He points to Alcaraz’s clay court resurgence—wins in Monte Carlo and Rome, plus a Barcelona final—as evidence of his resilience. “He’s going to find a way again,” Almagro asserted, echoing sentiments from former world No. 6 Gilles Simon, who urged critics to see “the big picture” of Alcaraz’s “unbelievable” career trajectory. Alcaraz himself remains unfazed, stating, “I learned not to think about what people say to me — only the real people, my close team, family, and friends. I want to keep following my own path, my own way.”
As Alcaraz heads to Roland Garros, where he defeated Alexander Zverev in a five-set thriller last year, he carries the hopes of a nation and the weight of comparisons to Nadal, whose 22 Grand Slams loom large. Almagro, who once praised Alcaraz’s blend of Nadal’s hunger, Djokovic’s court coverage, and Federer’s talent, believes the 22-year-old is on track to join their ranks. “He has shown everyone that he is predestined,” Almagro said in 2022 after Alcaraz’s US Open win at 19. His recent Rome performance, where he saved two set points and unleashed a barrage of winners against Sinner, reinforces this belief. “I’m proud of myself, with the way I approached the match mentally,” Alcaraz said post-match, showcasing a maturity that belies his age. With a 7-4 head-to-head edge over Sinner and a clay court record of 27-2 over the past year, Alcaraz enters Paris as a favorite, undeterred by his No. 3 seeding or potential clashes with Djokovic or Zverev.
Beyond the court, Almagro sees Alcaraz as a cultural force, his infectious smile and charisma drawing endorsements from Nike, Rolex, and Louis Vuitton. “I’m happy to live this experience and receive the affection of the public,” Alcaraz said after a hard-fought Rotterdam win, reflecting his ability to connect with fans. For Almagro, the criticism Alcaraz faces is a byproduct of Spain’s rich tennis legacy, where Nadal’s 15 French Open appearances set an almost unattainable standard. Yet, he remains confident: “The big picture is Carlos Alcaraz is a very special player, he has already achieved amazing things, and he will achieve amazing things again.” As Roland Garros begins on May 25, 2025, Almagro’s words resonate, framing Alcaraz not just as a champion, but as a young star destined to redefine tennis greatness.
Leave a Reply