Carlos Alcaraz has made his way into the fourth round of Roland Garros in unconvincing fashion, beating an opponent he was expected to demolish across four nervy sets.
The first two went the way that many expected, breezing through them with minimal fuss.
However, he then shockingly lost the third set, and before turning it around, was down a break in the fourth.
This is the curse that comes with such a unique and enigmatic play style, that things can suddenly turn for the worse. As such, his time on the French Open courts has now been extended.
One high-profile pundit remains unsure if this is the right way for Carlos Alcaraz going forward, with records to chase.
Jim Courier still unsure of Carlos Alcaraz’s play style
Speaking live on TNT Sports immediately after Alcaraz’s win last night, Jim Courier was hardly going with praise for the Spaniard.
After all, he has been one of many to laud the four-time Grand Slam champion when appropriate, but was left somewhat uncertain after what he had just seen.
Asked about Alcaraz’s play style specifically, the American admitted: ‘I could not be more torn about it. I could not be more in love with the style of tennis that he brings to the court and in awe of it.
‘It is something unique that he brings to the court and his unbelievably aggressive mindset is so different to the Spanish mentality, which is concentrated and percentage tennis.
‘But the other part of me which wants to see him challenge the all-time records thinks if he could just do a little bit less of that and still do it at the right time when you have scoreboard lead, maybe in 15 years time we are going to be looking at you and Novak and Rafa and Roger and having a comparison. I’m torn.’
Carlos Alcaraz wants to make history his own way
Anyone who has watched Alcaraz’s recent Netflix documentary ‘My Way’ will know that he has grand aspirations of still being one of the very best of all time.
However, alongside his desire for greatness is his clear want to enjoy life as well, going on holidays and relaxing when possible.
So, Courier’s claims are well-founded, and they echo what many from within Alcaraz’s team were stating throughout that piece of media.
Juan Carlos Ferrero was one very vocal critic of his student’s penchant for occasionally putting tennis to the side, but if that is what allows him to keep focus then he must follow that path.
After all, following an era where Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic shared the same aggressive passion to make history, they cannot be held as the standards.
Alcaraz is already on track to reach what they accomplished in his own unique way, without having to sacrifice all that they seemingly did.
| Player | Major titles won at 22 years old |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 4 |
| Novak Djokovic | 1 |
| Roger Federer | 1 |
| Rafael Nadal | 4 |
Eventually, he might knuckle down and give absolutely everything he has to the sport, when the finish line is in sight. But before then, allowing him to enjoy himself and be that entertainer will not harm anybody.
Courier’s concerns are justified, but Alcaraz will figure things out eventually. He always seems to, if his career thus far is anything to go by.
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