Andy Roddick reveals why Carlos Alcaraz always faces harsh criticism when he fails to win titles

World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz recently took home his first Monte-Carlo Masters title in his second appearance in the tournament

Andy Roddick, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Tennis Channel, The Tennis Channel)

Andy Roddick feels Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t need to prove to anyone after lifting the Monte-Carlo Masters. On Sunday (April 13), Alcaraz silenced the critics by securing a 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 win over Lorenzo Musetti in the final, becoming the first Spaniard to win the trophy since Rafael Nadal did in 2018.

Because he is a player with four Grand Slam titles at the age of 21, the tennis world expects Alcaraz to win almost every tournament. A couple of exits without winning a title is enough for the critics or tennis pundits to claim that Alcaraz suffered a dip in his form. The World No.2 has set a high standard for himself and so he deals with various kinds of judgment if he struggles to win titles, despite making deep runs.

I like how all we are talking about this year is how Carlos has struggled a little bit. Oh, by the way, he is number one in the race. I understand Jannik Sinner has been suspended. I am just saying. We are now judging this kid against his own massive shadow.

Andy Roddick said on the Tennis Channel Live Podcast

Alcaraz, with 2,410 points, is on top of the table in the ATP Live Race To Turin, followed by Sinner with 2,000 points. Sinner has so far played just the Australian Open this season as he is serving his three-month doping ban. So far in the season, the 21-year-old has took home two titles, in Rotterdam and Monte Carlo.

I don’t think anyone on Earth doubts that even if he plays badly for two or three weeks that he can’t catch form very quickly in a match or two and flip the script and win a Masters 1000 title. We didn’t need him to prove anything to us this week but he just showed again, bet against me at your own risk.

Andy Roddick added

It was Alcaraz’s first title in The Principality. Before arriving in Monte Carlo, Alcaraz suffered defeat in his opening round match against David Goffin at the Miami Open.

Carlos Alcaraz reveals the special thing that’s happening in tennis

Carlos Alcaraz is in Barcelona to bid for his third title in the ATP 500 tournament and is set to lock horns with Ethan Quinn on Tuesday (April 15). Ahead of the match, Alcaraz talked about the three up-and-coming players, Joao Fonseca, Jakub Mensik, and Arthur Fils, who have been producing impressive performances, which the four-time Major champion said is “really special for our sport“.
Joao Fonseca (Image via X/@Alejandro Lopez Fernandez)

We’ve already seen it with Mensik, a player who will continue to grow but is already established. Joao Fonseca is another one I love to watch- he’s got a lot of charisma on court, and his tennis is incredible. I played against Arthur Fils for the first time in Monte Carlo and was amazed by his power and level.

Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference

Fonseca, who lifted his first ATP title at the Argentina Open, got knocked out of the fourth round at the Miami Open. In Miami, Mensik claimed his first tour-level title by upsetting 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets. Fils, the winner of three titles, is yet to clinch a trophy this year.

The Frenchman was on the verge of knocking out Alcaraz in the Monte Carlo Masters’ quarterfinals. He is in Barcelona and is projected to square off against Alcaraz in the semifinals.

Alcaraz’s Monte-Carlo Masters win helped him topple Alexander Zverev from the second position in the rankings table. The Murcia native, who is the winner of nine clay-court titles, lifted only the French Open last year on the red dirt. He then suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Djokovic in the Paris Olympics final.