ATP number three, Carlos Alcaraz, knows how to keep his audience hooked to their seats. With an undeniable talent and skyrocketed potential, this Spaniard athlete became quite like a storm against his opponents. Alcaraz’s spirited Melbourne Slam impressed the fraternity, including Swiss coach Mats Wilander. Although he didn’t hold back his compliments for the star athlete, there was a subtle warning. So, what did Wilander say about the Spanish talent house?
Alcaraz kicked off his 2025 season with great spirit in Melbourne. He performed quite well at the Grand Slam event defeating skilled players like Jack Draper, Nuno Borges, and Yoshihito Nishioka. However, the Spaniard exited the Slam after a defeat against Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals by 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, and 4-6 in four straight sets. Despite losing the tournament, Alcaraz’s performance garnered much praise in the fraternity. Especially for Swiss coach Mats Wilander, Alcaraz’s Melbourne Slam run brought out his exceptionalism in the forefront. Despite compliments for the ATP number three, Wilander’s statement has a catch!
“The expectation with Carlos Alcaraz are just so high and it’s not my expectations that he is gonna win but the expectation of seeing something that is so out of the ordinary from him. That’s what I sit and wait for and I think that when he get collisions happen lil bit, and I think that he’s gonna way win many, many many more majors but there is also a chance that he is gonna throw in these matches sometimes when he is not playing great and he plays around a strong opponent. He is not gonna beat him unless he raises his worst level,” he said to Andy Zodin on a recent episode of his KickServeRadio podcast. Wilander’s comment highlighted Alcaraz’s recent performance against Djokovic. Despite leading the first set, the Spaniard didn’t take the moment’s advantage. He knew his opponent was not in his full form due to leg cramps, but he didn’t push the Serb hard enough to his limits to outrun him.
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 14, 2024 Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after winning his men’s singles final against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic REUTERS/Paul Childs
Reflecting on this, Alcaraz said, “In the second set, I had to play a little bit better just to push him even more to the limit. We saw that he had issues just moving a little bit in the second set. I had to push him a little bit more just to the limit, and I didn’t. I didn’t do it.” His words echoed his frustration, but highlighted how quickly he accepted his faults without crying over his loss.
Alcaraz’s understanding of his form might truly turn Wilander’s predictions into reality. Even if not, he is still the “favorite” player for the Swiss coach. Reflecting on the Spaniard’s career milestones, Wilander highlighted why he rooted for him in the Flushing Meadows last year.
Mats Wilander picked Carlos Alcaraz for the 2024 US Open
Last year, right before the US Open, Wilander cheered for Carlos Alcaraz, hailing him for his Grand Slam victories. Needless to say, Alcaraz deserved it all with his two consecutive Major wins in Roland Garros and Wimbledon last season. Despite great form, Alcaraz lost the Cincinnati Open to Gael Monfils in the first round. Alcaraz’s loss didn’t impact Wilander, who relied on his potential with his Grand Slam victories and his silver medal from the Paris Olympics. “Carlos Alcaraz, I mean, you have to say that he’s most probably the favourite because he’s won already four grand slam tournaments, two in a row, A silver medal at the Olympics is not that bad,” said the Swiss former ATP star. He also stressed Alcaraz’s increasing control over different surfaces, which brought him much “relief.”
Mats Wilander’s prediction about Carlos Alcaraz fuelled the fraternity’s faith in the latter’s potential. However, Wilander warned that the Spaniard needs to offer his best on the court, only then the Swiss coach’s hope for more Grand Slams will come true! Do you think, Wilander’s words will hold weight in the future?
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