“He is a thousand miles away from Rafa in his head” – Former tennis star compares Carlos Alcaraz’s mental strength to that of Nadal

Despite similarities in their aggressive playing style, Carlos Alcaraz still falls short of Rafael Nadal’s exceptional mental strength, according to retired Italian tennis star Paolo Bertolucci. Alcaraz, often seen as Nadal’s successor, has already achieved remarkable success with four Grand Slam titles and a World No. 1 ranking at just 21 years old. However, Bertolucci believes that the younger Spaniard lacks the same mental resilience that made Nadal a legendary competitor.

Bertolucci’s remarks came after Alcaraz’s quarterfinal defeat to 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic at the 2025 Australian Open. In what was billed as a blockbuster showdown, Djokovic ultimately prevailed as Alcaraz struggled mentally and physically in the later stages of the match.

In a post-match interview, Bertolucci and fellow Italian tennis veteran Adriano Panatta discussed how Alcaraz’s mental game still has room for growth. Bertolucci stated, “Alcaraz is sleeveless like Nadal, he plays differently, but he is miles away from Rafa mentally.” He added that Alcaraz missed a crucial opportunity to take control of the match against Djokovic and might have won had he done so.

Panatta agreed, emphasizing that Alcaraz must reach a level where he can no longer afford to lose to Djokovic, especially in longer matches. He referenced how Djokovic’s mental fortitude allowed him to turn the match in his favor, with Alcaraz faltering after encountering physical challenges. “Novak is a great champion, phenomenal… Mentally, he crushes anyone,” Panatta said, highlighting Djokovic’s dominance in pressure-filled moments.

Though Alcaraz is on a promising path, Bertolucci and Panatta believe that his ability to handle high-stakes matches like Nadal and Djokovic will be key to his continued success at the top of the sport.