Carlos Alcaraz could be having an adverse impact on the rest of Spanish tennis.
Alcaraz has already completed the Career Grand Slam at 22 years old, which he achieved at the Australian Open earlier this year.
The Murcian has followed in the footsteps of his fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who retired from tennis in 2024, by doing so.
While Alcaraz has been able to bring more success to Spanish tennis, his compatriot Daniel Merida has now spoken about the pressure he can sometimes feel as a result of it.
Daniel Merida admits Carlos Alcaraz’s dominance can be ‘detrimental’ for Spanish players
Merida, who is 21 years old, has made an impressive start to the 2026 season himself after reaching the final of just his second ATP main draw tournament in Bucharest.
As a result, Merida has put himself on the brink of making his debut into the top 100, but he has admitted the pressure he faces as a result of the likes of Alcaraz and Nadal.
“All Spanish tennis players who stand out at a young age face pressure; they quickly start being compared to people like Rafa, Carlos, who are players who have done something unusual like being number one at 18 years old,” said Merida, as reported by Eurosport Spain.
“I’ve tried to get rid of those comparisons, not put pressure on myself, and little by little I’ve been handling them better. I’ve learned that everything depends on me, that I have to do this for myself, for my family, for my coaches.”
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Merida admitted that Alcaraz’s success does also motivate him, despite also having a detrimental impact, highlighting the recent successes of Rafael Jodar and Martin Landaluce as well.
“It’s both. It helps me because I see him and it motivates me, but I think it’s somewhat detrimental in general because people think that’s normal, that it happens to all players, and that’s not the case,” added Merida.
“It’s an exceptional case. Now we have Rafa and Martin, who are fantastic players even though they’ve had a more typical development.”
Daniel Merida reveals what his relationship with Carlos Alcaraz is like
While Merida does not always welcome the pressure that Alcaraz’s success invites onto him, he had nothing but nice things to say about the seven-time Grand Slam champion as a person.
Alcaraz is only one year older than Merida, and it appears that there is a good camaraderie amongst the current crop of young Spanish ATP players.
“With Carlos, since he was a year older, we crossed paths on the junior circuits,” said Merida.
“He’s a fantastic person then and now. Rafa and Martín are the same; they’re both amazing players and truly great people.”
Despite their relationship, Merida will not be spending time in the Spanish capital with Alcaraz, as he has withdrawn from the Madrid Open due to his wrist injury.
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