Former ATP Star Criticizes Carlos Alcaraz: “He Plays Like a Junior Sometimes”
Carlos Alcaraz continues to be one of the most debated figures in tennis—praised for his immense talent but scrutinized for his inconsistency.
The 21-year-old Spaniard has already achieved what many players only dream of: four Grand Slam titles, five Masters 1000s, and 36 weeks as World No. 1. Still, many insiders believe Alcaraz must refine key aspects of his game to fulfill the enormous expectations placed on him.
The recent rise of Jannik Sinner—with a more consistent level of performance over the past year—has intensified the spotlight on Alcaraz. Despite Sinner’s current three-month suspension (set to end May 4), the Italian still sits ahead of Alcaraz in the ATP rankings, underlining the Spaniard’s recent struggles to maintain momentum.
Escudé: “He Needs to Mature”
Following Alcaraz’s surprising early exit at the Miami Open—losing to David Goffin—some analysts have raised questions about his partnership with long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, suggesting that their dynamic may need a reset.
Speaking to L’Équipe, former French player Nicolas Escudé offered a pointed critique of Alcaraz’s on-court behavior:
“At times, he plays like a junior. He does anything on court, for better or worse. He seems too free in key moments, hitting random shots without fully thinking through the best options.”
Despite acknowledging Alcaraz’s natural flair, Escudé emphasized the need for more tactical discipline and emotional maturity if the young star hopes to maintain his place among the sport’s elite.
Alcaraz Not Panicking
In recent interviews, Alcaraz has admitted to feeling the weight of expectations but insists he’s focused on improving:
“The pressure has gotten to me recently, but I’m not worried. I know where I need to grow.”
As the 2025 season continues, all eyes will remain on Alcaraz to see whether he can recalibrate his game and stay in step with rivals like Sinner.
