Tennis great makes Carlos Alcaraz pressure claim and highlights way the Spaniard can improve

Ewan West 21 Mar 2024 11:58 AM

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, celebrates after his win

Tennis legend Mats Wilander believes Carlos Alcaraz experienced a moment of “relaxation” and “relief” after winning the Wimbledon title as he made a comparison with his own career.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion declared Alcaraz is “still searching for his game” and thinks the Spaniard can improve by being a better player “when he’s at his worst.”

Alcaraz defeated world No 4 Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to win the 2024 Indian Wells Open last week to defend his title at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament. The world No 2 also overcame his primary rival Jannik Sinner in three sets in the semi-finals.

The two-time major winner’s victory saw him end an eight-month wait for a title, having reached just one final since winning Wimbledon in July last year.

The 20-year-old is now looking to complete the Sunshine Double for the first time by winning the Miami Open — a tournament he triumphed at in 2022. Alcaraz will face Aleksandar Vukic or Roberto Carballes Baena in his opening match in Miami, where he is the top seed.

Speaking to Eurosport after Alcaraz’s Indian Wells win, Wilander gave an assessment of the young star’s development and discussed the impact of pressure.

“I think there was a lot of pressure on him after he won his first Grand Slam at the US Open a couple of years ago,” the former world No 1 said.

“And I think winning Wimbledon, maybe that is what pressure feels like. But it seemed to me like he wasn’t quite as keen or as interested in the final picture, which is winning the tennis match.

“So I think that for him it was most probably more, and I can relate to this myself, I won Roland Garros on clay in 1982. Then I won the Australian Open in 1983 on grass.

“That legitimised me being at the top of the game, to me, and maybe I even thought it legitimised it to other people. You could say whatever you want, but I know how to play and win on two different surfaces.

“For Carlos, I think it was the same thing. I really do. I think there was a moment of relaxation, relief, maybe more than anything. And then let’s keep in mind searching: he’s still searching for his game.

“And I think for Carlos, I think he has to move towards being a better player every single day. Not when he’s at his best, but when he’s at his worst.

“He needs to figure that out very early in matches, and we saw in the Australian Open against Sascha Zverev: he didn’t, and he never got it back.

“So I think that there’s a big leap in understanding how good he is and what it takes for him to beat most players. But pressure, I think he loves being out there.

“I think he loves the enjoyment part of hitting a tennis ball. He now seems to be enjoying winning again, which is really good to see.”