Carlos Alcaraz’s season actually can’t be thought of unfavourable, having received two Grand Slam titles and a Masters 1000 at Indian Wells. The Spanish champion has achieved probably the most troublesome achievements on this sport, changing into the youngest ever to win the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships in the identical yr.
As if that wasn’t sufficient, the 21-year-old from Murcia additionally received silver on the Paris Olympics and ATP 500 in Beijing by defeating his nice rival Jannik Sinner on the finish of probably the most spectacular finals of all the season. Though he beat the Italian ace 3 times in as many matches in 2024, Carlitos could be very removed from Jannik within the ATP rating as a result of better consistency of the latter. The world’s no 1 has suffered simply six losses since January, whereas the Spanish has not been as sensible at some factors of the season.
It’s true that Alcaraz was very sensible within the Grand Slam tournaments, apart from the US Open (the place he was eradicated within the first week), however he failed to take care of the identical stage within the Masters 1000 by struggling a number of untimely eliminations. In contrast to him, Sinner has reached at the least the quarterfinals in all tournaments he performed in 2024.
Many sudden defeats
If we analyze the outcomes of Carlitos within the Masters 1000, the decision will not be so constructive for the previous no 1 on the planet. The 21-year-old from Murcia received his second straight title at Indian Wells, however didn’t maintain the identical stage within the subsequent 1000s. In Miami he stopped within the quarterfinals towards Grigor Dimitrov, whereas he needed to miss the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo and Rome resulting from an forearm harm.
Alcaraz confirmed up in Madrid removed from the highest of type nonetheless feeling ache in his forearm, which is why he gave in to Andrey Rublev within the quarterfinals. The Spaniard missed out on the Montreal Masters 1000 after the Paris Olympics earlier than being eradicated within the second spherical in Cincinnati by Gael Monfils.
Tomas Machac was his executioner within the quarterfinals of the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, when followers and organizers had been already trying ahead to a brand new conflict with Sinner. Lastly, Carlos was defeated by Ugo Humbert within the final 16 of the Rolex Paris Masters yesterday.
Whereas within the Grand Slam tournaments his profitable fee was virtually 85% this yr, within the Masters 1000 he stopped at somewhat shiny 75%. As well as, it needs to be remembered that Alcaraz received just one Masters 1000 in 2024 (whereas he had received two each in 2022 and 2023).
Carlitos’ admission
Regardless of having an amazing season, Carlitos himself admitted that Sinner was superior to him this yr: “It doesn’t matter that I’ve crushed Jannik 3 times. Most likely I didn’t play good tennis in some tournaments. You recognize, my share of win this yr is basically, actually excessive, however Jannik is at one other stage this yr. Over the 91 per-cent of wins this yr. So simply few gamers have achieved this earlier than.
I believe each gamers wish to be extra constant through the yr. In each event that you just’re going to play, you need to go far or as farther as you’ll be able to. That’s my aim the subsequent yr. Within the tournaments that I didn’t play effectively or I didn’t go so far as I wished, simply attempt to do it. I’ll attempt to not lose within the first rounds that in all probability this yr I’ve misplaced within the first rounds.”
The four-time Grand Slam champion may have two large targets within the final a part of the season: the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin and the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. The present world quantity 2 shall be arriving in Turin very quickly and should get used to the circumstances, which aren’t supreme for his type of play. Final yr, Alcaraz misplaced within the semifinals to Novak Djokovic however general he didn’t play an amazing event.
The Spanish ace may also be surpassed by Alexander Zverev in second place if the German champion reaches the ultimate of the Rolex Paris Masters. Sascha defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas at present within the quarterfinals and a single victory separates him from a vital aim.
The German is rather more efficient than Alcaraz on these courts, additionally due to its wonderful serve. It’s no coincidence that Zverev already received in Turin in 2021, when he defeated Nole Djokovic within the semifinals and Daniil Medvedev within the finals. If he drops to 3rd place within the ATP rating, Carlos might must face Sinner already within the group stage in Turin.
