Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, has experienced a tumultuous 2024 season marked by significant achievements and notable setbacks. His year was highlighted by victories at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, making him the youngest player to secure Grand Slam titles on three different surfaces.
Despite these triumphs, Alcaraz faced challenges, including unexpected defeats and injuries. He suffered losses to Gaël Monfils at the Cincinnati Masters, Botic van de Zandschulp at the US Open, and fell to Novak Djokovic in the Olympic final.
Former tennis player Andrea Petkovic critiqued Alcaraz’s performance during his downturns, stating, “When Alcaraz is off his game, it’s horrible; he lacks a plan B.” She emphasized that unlike players such as Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner, or Djokovic, Alcaraz exhibits significant weaknesses when not at his peak, leading to errors and insecurity on the court.
Alcaraz himself acknowledged the difficulties of the 2024 season, describing it as a year of “ups and downs, injuries, and doubts.” He expressed gratitude for his team’s support and remains optimistic about learning from these experiences to improve in the future.
As the tennis world reflects on Alcaraz’s roller-coaster year, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how he will address these challenges and adapt his game strategy in the upcoming season.