The former World No.1 says it’s insane to even think that Alcaraz needs another voice in his box.
By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday April 10, 2025
Carlos Alcaraz has won four majors before turning 22 – and impressive 25 percent strike rate! – so it only seems normal that the public expects the Spaniard to continue to produce title runs forevermore.
The pressure that comes with that can be stifling, and that is the reality that Alcaraz must face these days, as he kicks off his clay-court season with only one 500-level title to his name.
“Sometimes it is difficult to deal with,” Alcaraz said before taking the court in Monte-Carlo this week (he’s into the quarterfinals already). “You can feel like what you achieved is not good enough. You have to stay strong mentally.”
It’s definitely not time to push the panic button, and those who are wondering what is wrong with Alcaraz (17-4 on the season) should be more patient. The race is long, and the talent is real.
Andy Roddick, speaking on Tennis Channel, is taking the long view. The subject of whether or not Alcaraz should look for another coaching voice was brought up yesterday (context: while the team discussed Andrey Rublev’s work with Marat Safin) and Roddick was quick to shoot it down.
“We have to reset expectations,” the former No.1 said. “Carlos Alcaraz already has more Majors than Andy Murray, he’s halfway towards icons like Connors, Agassi. It’s just absurd what he’s done. We need to reset a little bit and anyone calling for a coaching change doesn’t know anything about coaching.”
Alcaraz struck the same chord when he was asked about the constant expectations. It’s true that he’s expected to win every tournament he plays, particularly when Jannik Sinner, still serving his three-month ban, is on the sidelines. But the reality is, you can’t win them all.
“A lot of people might have said we should have played better tennis or won more tournaments but I don’t think that is fair,” Alcaraz said.
The Spaniard, who improved to 83-18 lifetime on clay with Thursday’s win over Daniel Altmaier, will face Frenchman Arthur Fils in the quarterfinals in Monte-Carlo on Friday.
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