Carlos Alcaraz sits on top of the tennis world after winning the Australian Open and becoming the youngest male player to earn the Career Grand Slam.
Alcaraz’s seventh Grand Slam victory has led to many fans and pundits believing he could overtake Novak Djokovic’s tally by the time he retires.
The Spaniard is comfortably the best player in the world at the moment, and holds a near-3000 point lead on Jannik Sinner in the world number two position.
Following his landmark achievement, Alcaraz has reflected on some less happy times he’s experienced on a tennis court.
Carlos Alcaraz shares the matches he found ‘really difficult’
Appearing on Bryson DeChambeau’s YouTube channel, Alcaraz opened up about difficult times he has suffered on a tennis court.
Despite facing some of the very best tennis players in the world, including Djokovic and Sinner, the Spaniard picked three lesser-known names as players who frustrated him the most.
“I experienced a few times that I was really frustrated, where the other player was playing unbelievable and I couldn’t do anything,” he said.
Which member of the ‘Big Three’ is Carlos Alcaraz most similar to? Let us know why below👇
Alcaraz picked Grigor Dimitrov, David Goffin, and Hugo Gaston as the most frustrating matches of his career.
“One was when I played in Miami last year in the quarterfinal against Grigor Dimitrov. I was saying to my team what else can I do? I don’t know what I have to do? He was destroying me.
“In Miami this year, when I lost in the first round. I was really disappointed. In 2021, I played in France and in Paris against a French player, Hugo Gaston, with the crowd and it was really difficult for me.”
Alcaraz lost to Dimitrov and Gaston in straight sets. Against Goffin, the Spaniard took the first set but then fell to one of his most shocking defeats.
Carlos Alcaraz named in player list for upcoming ATP 1000 event
Alcaraz instantly withdrew from the Rotterdam Open, but his next movements have now become more clear.
The world number one is set to play the first ATP 1000 event of the year at the Qatar Open and he’s now been included in the players list for Indian Wells.
The only player to defeat Alcaraz at the American tournament in the last three years is Jack Draper, who knocked the Spaniard out at the semi-final stage in 2025.
What do you think is Carlos Alcaraz’s best surface and why?
Alcaraz won the event in back-to-back years in 2023 and 2024, defeating Daniil Medvedev in both of the finals.
Indian Wells takes place between 4-15 March and is considered one of the more illustrious events outside of the four Grand Slams.
