Carlos Alcaraz’s recent performance dip, notably his Wimbledon 2025 final loss to Jannik Sinner, has sparked discussions about areas needing improvement to avoid a decline similar to past fluctuations. After a stellar 2024 with back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon titles, followed by a 2025 French Open win, his first Grand Slam final defeat suggests vulnerabilities. Analysts point to mental consistency as a key issue. Despite his five Major titles and a peak 24-match win streak this year, Alcaraz has shown moments of instability, such as his third-round Italian Open upset by world No. 135 Fabian Marozsan and early exits in Miami and other hard-court events. His coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, has noted that Alcaraz is at “65% or 70% of his full potential,” citing a need for greater maturity in critical moments, a sentiment echoed by Andre Agassi, who suggests Alcaraz hasn’t yet identified a reliable game plan under pressure.
Physical resilience also appears critical. Withdrawals due to injuries—like post-traumatic arthritis in his hand and forearm muscle edema—have disrupted his schedule, notably missing Monte-Carlo and Rome in 2024, and his recent Cádiz vacation post-Wimbledon may reflect fatigue management needs. His reliance on high-risk, flashy shots, while a strength, can lead to errors, as seen in losses to Grigor Dimitrov and others, where predictability in second-serve returns was exploited. Posts found on X suggest fans and commentators see a lack of concentration in longer rallies and an overemphasis on crowd-pleasing plays, contrasting with Sinner’s disciplined approach.
To avoid a drop-off, Alcaraz must enhance mental toughness, refine his tactical adaptability—particularly on faster surfaces—and prioritize injury prevention through better scheduling. His youth (22) offers time to address these, but sustained dominance will hinge on balancing his natural flair with strategic consistency.
