Carlos Alcaraz, once a rising star who reached World No. 1 at just 19, now faces significant pressure as he enters 2025. His meteoric rise in 2022, marked by victories in two Masters 1000 events, the Miami Open, Madrid Open, and his first Grand Slam at the US Open, set high expectations for the young Spaniard. Last year, he added more titles, including the French Open and Wimbledon, cementing his position as one of tennis’ brightest talents. However, with Jannik Sinner’s dominance in recent months and his doping controversy, Alcaraz now feels the weight of surpassing Sinner, leading to a candid admission of being overwhelmed by expectations.
Alcaraz’s openness about the pressure he faces surprised many, including former American players like John Isner and Steve Johnson, who typically see athletes conceal their vulnerabilities. Isner noted that while it was refreshing for Alcaraz to open up, it also left him exposed, giving rivals a potential psychological edge. Johnson empathized with Alcaraz, recalling his own struggles with pressure when he faced Sinner in 2019. Both players acknowledged that such honesty provided valuable insight into Alcaraz’s emotional state, especially after struggling during recent tournaments like the Sunshine Double.
Alcaraz’s performance in the early months of 2025 has been inconsistent. Although he won a title in Rotterdam, he faced difficulties in Qatar, Indian Wells, and Miami. He now trails Sinner by over 3,500 points, making the task of overtaking him and Alexander Zverev even harder. Despite these challenges, Alcaraz has remained focused on improving his game, particularly after his exit from the Australian Open finals. His usual post-match comments had been generic, but this time, his openness was seen as a sign of growth, offering a more relatable side to his character.
Heading into the Monte Carlo Masters, Alcaraz aims to regain his form. Despite the pressure, former French pro Giles Simon believes that Alcaraz is still among the best in the game, emphasizing that the public’s high expectations sometimes unfairly overshadow his accomplishments. Simon highlighted that people are quick to criticize when Alcaraz doesn’t win, even though he has already achieved remarkable success for his age, including four Grand Slam titles.
As Alcaraz prepares for his upcoming match against Francisco Cerundolo in Monte Carlo, there is much anticipation about his ability to overcome the nerves and make a deep run in the tournament. The question remains: Will his openness about the pressure he faces be a sign of strength or vulnerability in the competitive world of tennis?