
I have the feeling that we were not entirely grasping the feat that Carlos Alcaraz was pursuing in this 2025 Australian Open. An immense number of legends in our sport ended their careers without achieving all the Majors, facing various kryptonites, from rivals who became nemeses, surfaces designed to nullify their game, to strokes of bad luck. Hence, for the young man from Murcia to shoulder the heavy burden of being the youngest to complete the Career Grand Slam, while providing an extra motivation and hunger that anyone would appreciate, could also become a double-edged sword.
Stepping onto the court against Novak Djokovic, the tennis clarity of the Murcian completely dissipated. Not even in a rather dull first set, won without brilliance but with some expertise, did we witness that frantic yet self-assured version of Alcaraz. The forehand was erratic, struggling to find the balance between precision and power, especially coming right after the serve. The serve, lethal against second-tier returners, became one-dimensional to the extreme, trapped by a beast skilled in taming them. Carlos's instinct and magic appeared too late, as the match had turned into a whirlwind that had already carried him far from the finish line.
Mentally, the challenge on the circuit that continues to trouble Carlos remains Novak Djokovic. It seems odd, considering he had defeated Djokovic in two Wimbledon finals; the first being undoubtedly the masterpiece of his still short career. However, in those matches, Alcaraz played with the advantage of blessed innocence, of the carefreeness of someone accumulating success after success. In his last two major encounters, though, the Serb pounced on the exuberant pressure that Alcaraz sometimes puts on his targets. The bigger it seems, the more it clouds his judgment. What can you expect from a 21-year-old lad?
DO NOT CELEBRATE YET
I have seen critical voices pointing out the inertia of Juan Carlos Ferrero. Yes, the inertia of someone who has repeatedly emphasized the growth margin of his protégé, someone who has dedicated an entire preseason to strengthening a specific aspect of his game (the serve). The truth is that even the greatest generational players suffered devastating defeats in the early stages of their careers. All, absolutely all, emerged stronger from them.
There is no better teacher than the one who dissects, analyzes, and tries not to repeat the mistakes of a defeat. No element teaches you more. Today's loss has all the hallmarks of being a turning point in Alcaraz's career, just like previous ones. It forces you not to let your guard down when your opponent is wounded. It teaches you not to underestimate the greatness of those who know how to handle the heat. It reinforces the conviction that to be the best, you must incorporate a plan B and, just in case, a plan C into your game. It indicates that there is no greater goal than the one you set for yourself.
Finding a balance in the magical and sparkling essence of Alcaraz is challenging. Defeat, in a way, is the best vehicle to bring you closer to it. The lack of clear patterns in Carlos's tennis, against a simple playing style that showed Nole's adaptability, ultimately condemned him. That, of course, among many other things. His mind clouded, but a panorama of immensely valuable lessons became clear. Carlos possesses the spirit of a street fighter within him, which, however, did not show up today. Perhaps it is necessary to refine it to one day complete that coveted Career Grand Slam. Until then, forgetting the word obsession from the narrative and growing in all facets of your game, with a tennis goal—not a numerical one—will be the best reflection for someone who, make no mistake, rewrites history in each season. Do not doubt that, hand in hand with defeat, the best ally of a developing tennis player, he will rewrite them very soon.
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