Former ATP player says Carlos Alcaraz lacks “conviction” in his style of play which has led to recent inconsistent results

Carlos Alcaraz's inconsistent display led him to lose to Jiri Lehecka 3-6, 6-3, 4-6 in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open.

Former ATP player says Carlos Alcaraz lacks “conviction” in his style of play which has led to recent inconsistent results

Carlos Aclaraz (via Instagram)

Carlos Alcaraz remains one of the best players of his generation having won four Grand Slams at just 21. However, with the level of talent he shows on the court, the Spaniard could have won more than that. In fact, former ATP star Steve Johnson believes that the World No.3 inconsistent results as a result of lack of conviction sometimes on the court.

Alcaraz won just four titles last season, four below his rival Jannik Sinner. Although there were several tournaments, the former was the favorite to win, he ended up failing to do so, while the latter claimed titles where it was extremely difficult to do so. This season, Sinner has already won the Australian Open, while Alcaraz claimed the Rotterdam Open.

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However, at the Qatar Open, Alcaraz was the sole favorite to win the title. He won his first round match despite some difficult moments, but in the quarterfinals, he lost momentum. The 21-year-old was leading 4-2 in the deciding set and had a point to go up a double break, but surprisingly lost four straight games against Jiri Lehecka to lose the match 3-6, 6-3, 4-6.

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The manner of the loss has left many fans worried about the lack of focus on finishing matches by Alcaraz. Steve Johnson said during an episode of a podcast that it was a proper lack of conviction from the Spaniard that got him worried after the defeat.

We just haven’t seen that with conviction from Alcaraz over the last couple of years. I believe his top-end tennis is better than anyone when he is playing his best but his mid-range, every day, put on your hard hat and go to work can fluctuate from time to time. It showed, especially in this match. He did a really good job, wasn’t playing his best tennis, had a 4-2 lead in the third to go up a double break, and then, about seven and a half minutes later, he lost serve twice, and the match was over. It is something we haven’t seen from those top guys.

Steve Johnson said via Nothing Major podcast

Johnson added that during his playing days, the likes of Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal would never give their opponents a chance for a comeback while leading 4-2.

John Isner comes for Carlos Alcaraz’s defense

Carlos Alcaraz has found a way to improve and grow steadily on the court. Since he made his debut in the ATP Tour in February 2020 at 16, the youngster has made a name for himself in the men’s circuit.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (via Instagram)

Former ATP player John Isner took to Alcaraz’s defense on grounds of the latter’s consistency during his discussion with Steve Johnson. The American argued that Alcaraz still has a long way from reaching his peak as he’s just 21 years old.

I don’t think this is what we are going to see for the next five to eight years. It is easy to forget that he is still only 21 years old. His best tennis is, you can argue in all likelihood, is five years from now. He hasn’t even reached his peak. He is still so young and has so much maturing to do even though he is so ridiculously good and has won all these Grand Slams already at 21 years old.

John Isner said

Alcaraz will be on the court again at the Indian Wells Masters, which he has won two consecutive times. He will now be under pressure to win the title for the third time in a roll, but after his display in Qatar, there are doubts that he might not be able to do so.