Carlos Alcaraz is electrifying the tennis world this season. After his triumph at the Laver Cup, he is now dominating the Asian swing of the tour! His sharp game-reading skills, lightning-fast speed, and tactical acumen make him a formidable opponent. That’s earning him quite a few praises from the tennis community. Maybe a praise as high as calling him “a master of the craft” would be accurate. However, some coaches and tennis insiders have a different way of saying it.

At the China Open 2024, Alcaraz has been setting the courts ablaze with his exceptional performance. He kicked off his campaign with a commanding victories over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Tallon Griekspoor and Karen Khachanov in straight sets to advance to the semifinals.

This strong start not only showcased his skill but also set the stage for a highly anticipated clash with Daniil Medvedev, which Carlitos breezed past 7-5, 6-3. Now, the youngest man to conquer on all three surfaces in Slams is awaiting the finals against Jannik Sinner. Will he get past World No. 1? Serena Williams’ childhood coach, Rick Macci has a perfect answer to it.

Taking to his X to laud Alcaraz’s talent, Macci wrote: “He is the most complete player I have ever seen. Every box is checked from Technical to Mental with Imagination and Inspiration. Throw in turbo Speed and Cotton Soft Hands and drop shots with better disguise than any Halloween costume in the room.”

Macci’s high praise for the young Spaniard came after his unforgettable performance against Daniil Medvedev. Alcaraz, feeling confident with a set lead, increased his pace, leaving Medvedev helpless. The Spaniard closed out the semifinal in 88 minutes. After the match, Alcaraz reflected on his performance, noting, “It was a bit strange, with so many breaks of serve in the opening set. I probably lost my focus for a moment, but I’m really pleased that I regained my concentration quickly.”

For the record, since his second-round loss to Botic van de Zandschulp at the U.S. Open, Alcaraz has won eight consecutive matches, including victories at the Davis Cup, Laver Cup, and in Beijing. Next up against him is Sinner, against whom Alcaraz holds a 5-4 H2H lead. Will the Italian be able to tie the score? Well before the two square off on court, Alcaraz has some kind words for his opponent in the light of the latter’s WADA appeal.

Carlos Alcaraz serves up support for Sinner ahead of finals match

Jannik Sinner is once again embroiled in a doping controversy as the WADA appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport(CAS), seeking a lengthy ban on the Italian star. This comes despite the ITIA previously clearing him of all charges, declaring that he bore “no fault or negligence.” However, with WADA challenging the ITIA’s findings(on September 26th), Sinner’s future now hangs in the balance as the case reopens, adding pressure to his preparations for upcoming matches.

Following this, Carlos Alcaraz has shown support for his opponent during this tumultuous time. Putting their rivalry aside, when he was asked about Sinner’s situation, Alcaraz expressed surprise and concern, stating, “It’s a really sensitive thing to Jannik and tennis in general. I mean, after everything was decide, let’s say, before Cincinnati, that the ITIA said that Jannik Sinner saying he didn’t do anything wrong, and now came again, it is open again”.

Now as both players prepare to clash in Beijing, fans are eager to see if Alcaraz can channel his skills and composure to take down Sinner in what promises to be an electrifying final between two up-and-coming legends of the sport.