Carlos Alcaraz, the young sensation from Spain, has taken the Tennis world by storm ever since he succeeded at the U.S. Open last year. If anyone thought he was a one-slam wonder, it is a misjudgment on their part. The results which the Spaniard has produced over the past year bear ample testimony to this fact.
However, in this year’s U.S. Open, Alcaraz faltered in the semi-finals. It was a failure of sorts for the reigning Wimbledon Champion, due to the lofty standards which he usually sets for himself. Though there are usually people who act as detractors when such losses occur, some come out with queer opinions.
One such opinion was from Rick Macci, an in-demand motivational speaker and a former coach of Serena Williams. He took to social media to quote “The best thing ever for Carlos Alcaraz was losing in the semis of U.S. Open”.
The best thing ever for @carlosalcaraz was losing in the semis of the U.S OPEN. That painful stinging feeling will be a Priceless New York Gold Nugget in his back pocket for life and will IGNITE the Spanish Magician to bust through the Door and maybe grab 3 Slams in 2024.
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) September 24, 2023
Rick feels that the loss would be the ideal tonic for Carlos to put up stellar performances in the years to come. He added that the stinging feeling of that defeat will be like a priceless gold nugget for life. He affirmed that it “.. will IGNITE the Spanish Magician to bust through the Door and maybe grab 3 Slams in 2024.”
Carlos Alcaraz has got what it takes to remain top-notch for long
These comments from him have come after dissection and careful assessment of Carlos’ game. It was evident when he was effusive in his praise for the youngster “..because if someone’s serving big and hitting the corners, you get into a tie-breaker, anything’s possible”.
Such is his court coverage and repertoire of shots, that his opponents find tough to match. But for the prospect of winning slams consistently to come true, he has to overcome the threat of Novak Djokovic. Their rivalry has reached new heights, after the now famous Wimbledon final of 2023, when Alcaraz prevailed over the legend in five grueling sets.
{Credits – Shutterstock, Tennis Now}
It didn’t end there as Novak hit back at the Cincinnati Open, albeit in conditions of searing heat. Everyone was expecting a similar showdown in the finals at Flushing Meadows, but Daniil Medvedev had other ideas and intervened. The defeat in the semi-finals highlighted the fact that it isn’t just a two-horse race.
It is a fact that Alcaraz will face his toughest test against Novak Djokovic in major tournaments. The Legend is playing on a different level altogether and could seem invincible. But there are other promising talents on the tour in the form of Holger Rune, and Jannik Sinner who too might pose a threat to his supremacy in the future.
This was worthily put forth by the great Swiss master, Roger Federer, who felt that Tennis would evolve better with the rich bane of talent available. He also lamented the fact that he couldn’t be competing against them.
Roger Federer disappointed he didn’t get to play Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner:
“Current tennis is doing well. If I look at what Coco Gauff did at the US Open, it was very special & unique. She is incredible. On the men’s side, we are experiencing great moments.… pic.twitter.com/4vHNYwkiB9
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 22, 2023
Coming back to Alcaraz, Macci had earlier issued a statement “But he’s the leader in the clubhouse. And barring injury, this guy can go places that maybe we’ve never seen in the game of tennis. Anything’s possible with this guy”. Thus, he has touted Carlos to be the next big thing in Tennis among the current crop of players.
At just 20, Carlos Alcaraz has gone on to taste success which people of his age group could only dare to dream. Hence, it is only fair to say that he has all it takes to make even the bizarre, yet optimistic claims from the most unexpected quarters, come true.
