Carlos Alcaraz was formidable last season, which sanctioned his definitive explosion at the highest levels. After showing flashes of crystalline talent already in 2021, the young Spaniard switched gears last year leaving everyone speechless.
Juan Carlos Ferrero’s pupil won his first Grand Slam, the US Open, thus becoming the youngest number 1 in the history of men’s tennis. ‘Carlitos’ embellished his year by also winning two Masters 1000 (Miami and Madrid) and as many ATP 500 (Rio and Barcelona).
The last part of 2022 I saw him in a little difficulty, also thanks to some physical problems. A torn abs forced him to miss the ATP Finals in Turin and the Davis Cup finals in Malaga, a blow to his ambitions. The biggest insult to him came at the beginning of 2023, when he had to give up the Australian Open due to a leg injury sustained in training.
The Murciano returned in style to the red clay of Buenos Aires, where he won his seventh career title.
Monica Seles pays tribute to Alcaraz
“The way Carlos Alcaraz played in 2022… I’ve had a chance to watch him play in person at the Indian Wells tournament against Rafael Nadal and I was just blown away by his intensity and also how focused he was for being such a young age – and he was playing somebody that’s probably the most focused player our sport has had in Nadal,” Seles said.
“And then you know, followed him throughout the summer and then when he came to New York to play at the US Open, when he went all the way. I mean, it was just so impressive for somebody to have that mental strength, that physical strength in those long matches, the late matches at the US Open.
And he just handled it with such ease. Like he is used to this, like he has done this before. So he’s just a beautiful addition to the sport and we’re going to be seeing him win again many more Grand Slam titles”.
Carlos Alcaraz further highlighted the importance of reaching the final of the 2023 Argentina Open. “It’s a really special moment for me,” Alcaraz said after the semi-final, as per ATP. “I was a little bit down after the injury, so I had to recover in those four months the confidence and the rhythm. Coming back for my first tournament of 2023 and making the final is so special for me.”
