“Who cares about losing in early rounds,” Mats Wilander finds positives from the inconsistencies surrounding Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz will next compete in the Monte Carlo Masters, marking his first clay court tournament of the season.

“Who cares about losing in early rounds,” Mats Wilander finds positives from the inconsistencies surrounding Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz (image via Instgram @carlitosalcarazz) Mats Wilander (image via ATP)

Although Mats Wilander perceives Carlos Alcaraz as a victim of “inconsistency” lately, the former World No. 1 also has faith that the Spaniard’s best form could reappear any day now. Wilander believes that Alcaraz can recover at any moment thanks to his tennis style. Apart from clinching the Rotterdam Open title, Alcaraz has struggled a bit in other tournaments of the season.

He was outplayed by an injury marred 37-year-old Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarterfinals. Alcaraz lost to Jiri Lehecka in the Qatar Open quarterfinals, eventual champion Jack Draper in the Indian Wells semifinals and most surprisingly to David Goffin in the opening round of the Miami Open.

Alcaraz not only failed to capture any titles in the Sunshine swing for the first time since 2021, but he also missed a golden opportunity to cut a significant number of points off World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who is suspended until early May for doping.

I think when he’s consistent, when he plays well, he can win any Grand Slam tournament at any time. As a coach, you’d probably pick a player who could lose to anyone at any time, but who can also beat anyone at any time, because that’s how you win big tournaments. Who cares if you lose in the early rounds of smaller tournaments?

Mats Wilander said via Eurosport

Following his early exit at the Miami Open, Alcaraz is next poised to play the Monte-Carlo Masters as his first tournament of the clay season. Wilander believes that Alcaraz has a better chance of winning big tournaments. The Spaniard has already clinched four Grand Slam titles and will be looking to defend his Roland Garros title this year.

Mats Wilander isn’t sure if clay is Carlos Alcaraz’s best surface

Though Carlos Alcaraz has won 8 of his 17 ATP singles titles on clay, Mats Wilander still reserves some inhibition on whether clay is the Spaniard’s best surface. Alcaraz’s performance and his ability to make a comeback with clay after the early Miami Open exit is highly anticipated.

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via ATP/X)

Even though he won Roland-Garros last year, I’m not sure clay is his best surface, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won Roland-Garros again and repeated, because that’s the quality he brings. I’m just saying that I think these results will happen from time to time.

Mats Wilander added

While he only played two clay tournaments last year, Alcaraz is expected to play a handful more of clay tournaments this year. Wilander, despite his doubts, however won’t be surprised if Alcaraz can successfully defend his Roland Garros title as that is the quality of tennis the Swede believes he brings to a tournament.

Mats Wilander believes it is difficult for Carlos Alcaraz to change tactics

Mats Wilander also touched upon some tactical changes that could help Carlos Alcaraz. The inconsistent performance is so confusing at the moment for the World No. 3 that Wilander believes not even his team knows for sure how to get it right.

I’ve heard a lot from our dear colleague Alex (Corretja) that Juan Carlos Ferrero wants Alcaraz to play a bit like that: take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves, hit the ball hard when you have the chance, serve and volley on the important points, hit drop shots because you’re in control of the point . And I think that’s what Juan Carlos Ferrero wants him to do.

Mats Wilander stated

However, Wilander also believes that it is difficult to change tactics for Alcaraz because that’s how he plays. He added that it is also what makes Alcaraz so entertaining and fun to watch. Wilander also compared the Spaniard’s inconsistencies with that of Andre Agassi.

We have to go back to the time of Andre Agassi, when he won tournaments and Grand Slams, and then suffered defeats in the first round, especially when he arrived in Europe, whether indoors or on clay, and then returned to the United States to win major tournaments and regain the number one spot. I believe Carlos Alcaraz’s inconsistencies are evident… I don’t think it’s the same with Sinner.

Mats Wilander added

Akin to the 8-time Grand Slam champion, Wilanders believes that Alcaraz’s career would also be filled with inconsistencies and some miracles once in a while. Wilanders, however, doesn’t believe that it is the same with Jannik Sinner, who has been remarkably consistent on hard court since last year.