‘I don’t want to be called Rafa’s successor – I’m Carlos Alcaraz’

Rafael Nadal was Carlos Alcaraz’s childhood hero, Carlos Alcaraz has said it frequently.

Alcaraz is viewed as the one who will succeed Nadal in his retirement, drawing numerous similarities between the two Spaniards.

However, making comparisons isn’t always helpful.

In a new Netflix documentary series, Alcaraz states, “I don’t want to be called Rafa’s successor.”

“I want to be called Carlos Alcaraz Garfia.”

Nadal, a 22-time major champion who held the title for 198 weeks while also being world number one, concurs.

There are times when you get tired of hearing it when people are young and they constantly compare you to a professional who has been around for a while.

In the end, I believe it can obstruct and even confound you because of the pressure that comes with this.

The 21-year-old followed him throughout his 2024 campaign, which included defending his Wimbledon title and winning his first French Open trophy, the same major Nadal won a record-tying 14 times.

Alcaraz claims to struggle to balance his professional and personal lives despite those accomplishments.

I wasn’t mentally strong enough to handle all the stress, he claims.

“I wasn’t sure if I needed to give up or if my passion was waning.”

Alcaraz also discusses the effects of Novak Djokovic’s semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic in the 2023 French Open, which led him to make the decision to take a vacation to Ibiza.

He claims that “I wanted to go there essentially to just waste my time.”

I made the most of it because I was aware that there might not be more days like that. Of course, I won Queen’s and Wimbledon when I returned.

I’m not saying that partying helped me win, but that taking a break from work was beneficial.

Alcaraz made a second trip to Ibiza last year, despite the counsel of his agent, Albert Molina Lopez, and coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.

His Queen’s title defense was halted by Britain’s Jack Draper shortly after, but Alcaraz won the Wimbledon final that same month over Djokovic.

We all knew, according to Ferrero, that he shouldn’t have visited Ibiza.

The former world number one, who previously coached Alexander Zverev, occasionally shows frustration with his protégé.

He claims, “We are here to create the greatest player because of his abilities and opportunities.” However, we’ll lower our expectations if he’s not that determined [if] he’s okay with being ranked number 15 in the world.

“But I think it would be very difficult for me to keep working with him because of how I am.”

Alcaraz ponders in the final moments whether he has the “the mindset” to “become the greatest player in history.”

He responds, “Well, I don’t know right now,” “Well, right now.” Although I’m still young and have a lot to do, I definitely prefer to put happiness before any kind of accomplishment based on my experiences so far.