A year ago, Carlos Alcaraz emerged as the undisputed future of men’s tennis, winning the Indian Wells title without dropping a set. However, the past year has been a series of reality checks for the 19-year-old.
Alcaraz has faced setbacks, including losses to unheralded opponents and a string of tournaments without a victory. These challenges have tested his confidence and led to a period of self-doubt.
Despite the setbacks, Alcaraz remains focused on the process rather than the results. He believes in feeling and playing like himself, even in defeat. However, he admits that social media criticism can be difficult to handle.
Alcaraz’s unique athleticism and personality set him apart. He plays with an electric style that is both thrilling and risky. While his go-for-broke approach has brought him success, it has also led to criticism when it doesn’t work.
Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, has been working with him to address his tendency to take his foot off the gas. In his recent match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alcaraz showed signs of improvement, securing the second break in each set and maintaining his lead.
As Alcaraz prepares to defend his Indian Wells title, he is trying to avoid putting extra pressure on himself. He believes that the key to success is to forget about last year’s victory and focus on being himself and playing at his best.
