Wilander's honest diagnosis of Alcaraz's problem: "He is going to be quite inconsistent"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 1 Apr 2025 | 07.30

Wilander's honest diagnosis of Alcaraz's problem: "He is going to be quite inconsistent". Photo: Getty Images.

Streaming W50 Palma del Rio live tennis

🎾 Ayla Aksu vs Esther Lopez Alcaraz

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

The passage of Carlos Alcaraz through the US hard court swing has raised many questions, several doubts, and one certainty: the Spaniard is not finding his tennis. Despite reaching the semifinals at Indian Wells, his performance in the defeat against Jack Draper raised concerns. Following his early exit in the Miami Open against David Goffin, where he played one of the most erratic matches in recent memory, all alarms went off.

Alcaraz not only failed to capture any titles in the ‘Sunshine Double’ for the first time since 2021, but he also missed a golden opportunity to cut a significant number of points off Jannik Sinner, who was suspended until early May for doping, in his quest to regain the number one rank. Added to this is a level of play far from what the Spaniard is accustomed to displaying. His new serve is not quite clicking, his forehand is stuck, and even his signature drop shot is failing him when he needs it most. These inconsistencies lead some authoritative voices to suggest that this is not just a temporary slump, but rather a constant in his career. This is the opinion of Mats Willander, former tennis player and commentator, as reported by Eurosport.

Consistent inconsistency

"I think Carlos Alcaraz is going through what Carlos Alcaraz will experience throughout his career: inconsistencies. He will produce miracles at times, and those miracles will help him win matches, but at other times, the miracles will not result in victory," says the seven-time Grand Slam champion.

The Swede explained his argument by citing Alcaraz's loss to Jack Draper at Indian Wells: “Losing to Jack Draper, as it happened, is very unusual for an elite player. You don't drop a set as easily. You don't come back and win another as easily as in the first two sets. Losing 6-4 in the third set against Jack Draper is not a major issue. But I believe that, ultimately, Carlos Alcaraz will be quite inconsistent in terms of results. We are not used to seeing a former world number one, and probably a future number one, being so inconsistent," asserts a resolute Wilander who always used to praise the Spaniard.

Parallels with Andre Agassi

The Swede supported his theory by comparing Alcaraz's career to that of a tennis legend: "We have to go back to the time of Andre Agassi, when he won tournaments and Grand Slams, and then suffered defeats in the first round, especially when he arrived in Europe, whether indoors or on clay, and then returned to the United States to win major tournaments and regain the number one spot. I believe Carlos Alcaraz's inconsistencies are evident." However, he took the opportunity to mention the main rival of the Murcian: "I don't think it's the same with Sinner.".

The losses suffered by the El Palmar native at the beginning of 2025 and at the end of 2024 have shown that in certain tournaments, he is more vulnerable, and any inspired opponent can pose a threat: "I think every time Carlos Alcaraz loses a match, at least five players in the world say to themselves: 'Okay, wait. If he can beat Alcaraz... well, I can beat him next'. I think it's good for the locker room when Carlos Alcaraz loses because I believe that when facing Alcaraz, many players feel intimidated and think, 'My goodness, this guy is so much better than me. I don't think I have any chance of winning.' But every time he loses, that green light turns on in the locker room telling you: 'You're ready. You have the chance to win this match today.' And I think that's the problem for Carlos Alcaraz," concludes a Wilander who has presented a harsh view of the Spaniard's current state. It remains to be seen if time will prove him right, or if Alcaraz will rise above the doubts and criticism.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El sincero diagnóstico de Wilander al problema de Alcaraz: "Va a ser bastante inconsistente"

ATP