Andy Roddick claims Carlos Alcaraz struggles with ‘indecision’ despite being better than Rafael Nadal at 21
World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz recently took home his sixth Masters 1000 title after beating Lorenzo Musetti in Monte Carlo.
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Andy Roddick, Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal (Image via People.com, X/The New York Times, Carlos Alcaraz Brazil)
Carlos Alcaraz has a plethora of weapons in his game due to which he struggles with what to use during matches, according to Andy Roddick. Alcaraz recently got crowned as the newest Monte-Carlo Masters champion with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 win over Lorenzo Musetti.
According to the 2003 US Open champion, Rafael Nadal, the winner of a record 11 Monte Carlo Masters titles, didn’t master different shots when he was 21, unlike Alcaraz; and so the 22-time Grand Slam champion didn’t get confused over which shots he wanted to use. Roddick here suggested that Alcaraz’s superpower sometimes becomes his weakness.
With Rafa at an early age, he didn’t have the amount of options that Carlos Alcaraz has at 21 years old. That doesn’t mean – before you all scream – that Rafa didn’t develop them later, he certainly did.
Andy Roddick said on the Tennis Channel Live Podcast
Alcaraz is the winner of 18 ATP titles, half of which he captured on clay, including last year’s French Open. He entered the Monte Carlo Masters following consecutive defeats in the Sunshine Double tournaments. The Murcia native failed to defend his title after defeat to eventual winner Jack Draper at Indian Wells; following which, the Spaniard suffered an opening round exit in Miami.
Learning when and how to disperse them is an ongoing process. When we struggle, I almost feel like it’s a matter of indecision on what type of Carlos to be that day, when knuckleheads like me only really had one option.
Andy Roddick added
Alcaraz, with his sixth Masters 1000 title, has become the first Spaniard since Nadal in 2018 to take home the title. He has also reclaimed his No.2 position from Alexander Zverev but needs to win a few more titles to secure his spot in the top of the rankings table by dethroning Jannik Sinner who currently is on the sidelines due to his three-month doping ban.
The title in The Principality was his first Masters 1000 trophy in 13 months (lifted Indian Wells last year). He is 20-4 in the season.
Carlos Alcaraz hits back at the critics ahead of the Barcelona Open
Carlos Alcaraz is gearing up for the Barcelona Open to bid for his third title of the season following his victory at the Rotterdam Open and the Monte Carlo Masters. Ahead of the match, Alcaraz, while discussing the criticism he has faced due to his struggle to win titles, joked that everyone expects him to win titles without dropping a set.
I suppose winning all matches 2-0, never losing.. I don’t know, the level of demand is high, although I recognize that there have been some results that, for some people… even for myself, have not been as expected. We are four months into the year and I have learned many things, now I give importance to what truly matters.
Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference
The winner of two Barcelona Open titles will lock horns with America’s Ethan Quinn on Tuesday (April 15) to kick-start his campaign. Alcaraz has never met Quinn before. Before setting up the clash with the four-time Grand Slam champion, Quinn beat Corentin Moutet and Borna Coric in the qualifying rounds.
Alcaraz is projected to square off against Stefanos Tsitsipas or Arthur Fils in the semifinals and Casper Ruud in the final. To strengthen his position in the rankings table, he has to win the home tournament.
He will again drop to No.3 if he fails to lift the Barcelona Open and Alexander Zverev ends up winning the BMW Open. Alcaraz has also dethroned Jannik Sinner from the top of the ATP Live Race to Turin rankings with 2,410 points.
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