Carlos Alcaraz’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of extraordinary, with his achievements already placing him among the best tennis players of his generation. Despite his impressive record—17 titles, 4 Grand Slam victories, and a stint as the World No. 1—he remains remarkably grounded, not obsessed with being labeled the best but rather enjoying the journey and the process. His goal is clear: he wants to be remembered as someone who had fun, inspired others, and maintained the kind-hearted demeanor of his idols, such as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
However, as with any athlete at the top, the pressure to remain consistent is immense. Alcaraz has been criticized recently for his inconsistency, with some arguing that the new generation, including him and Jannik Sinner, lack the steadiness of the Big 3. This criticism was intensified after his early exit from the Miami Open, and with Sinner’s absence, the spotlight on Alcaraz has only grown.
Alcaraz himself has acknowledged the impact that the pressure to reclaim the No. 1 spot has had on his form. Yet, his performance this season still remains strong with a 78.9% win percentage, showing that even in moments of struggle, he is still performing at a high level. His perspective—that it’s not always fair to expect domination every time, given the competitive nature of the tour—is a reasonable one, especially when we consider how many top players are constantly challenging for the top spot.
Will Alcaraz ever reach the level of the Big 3? While he may not yet have the consistency they’ve shown over their careers, his potential is undeniable. What do you think—will he find that consistency, or is the pressure of expectations too much for him?