One task Carlos Alcaraz can never get his hands off is raising the bar higher with every performance on the court. Ever since the young Spaniard entered the professional circuit in 2018, he has produced results nothing short of commendable. As he prepares to add more silverware to his resume in 2025, an old clip of his lighting-fast judgment skills on-court has resurfaced for fans to reminisce.

In 2021, the then-18-year-old Alcaraz practically announced himself to the world with his record-setting victory at the ATP Next Gen Finals in Milan. Not only was he the youngest player in the draw to clinch the title, but he did so for the second consecutive year. The Spanish star got the better of Sebastian Korda in the event’s summit clash. A thrilling feat, indeed, but what was more fascinating was his athleticism show-off against Brandon Nakashima in the round-robin elimination.

The Spaniard produced an impressive net-point win over the American during the contest’s second set. Following a 3-0 lead over Nakashima, the 21-year-old delivered a jaw-dropping return after the ball struck the net and he was forced to quickly switch positions. He successfully returned the ball despite losing his balance and this moment found a special place in fans’ memories.

Seeing as the upcoming edition of the ATP Next Gen is underway, Alcaraz’s performance in the event’s 2021 campaign has revisited the community’s social media.

Fans praise ‘Genius at Work’ Carlos Alcaraz’s ATP Next Gen 2021 net-point finish

Following the clip’s resurfacing on social media, a plethora of fans decide best to readdress Carlos Alcaraz’s phenomenal breakout. One fan heaped praise on the Spaniard saying, “Sheer genius at work”, while another highlighted that it was “A special treat served at the 2021 ATP Finals” by him. Another user on X explained how the riveting shot-making skill “was only the beginning. We have had since then a full all-surface show of stellar tennis skills.” They’re not wrong.

Alcaraz has set the terms straight and made it known that he is not to be slept on. In the months that followed his triumphant finish at the ATP Next Gen, the 21-year-old proceeded to fill his title showcase with numerous first-ever victories. He won the Rio Open and repeated the same in Miami and Barcelona. Shortly after, he became the first player to oust Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the same clay-court event during his title finish at the Madrid Open. That was just the trailer.

The former World No. 1 stunned fans when he emerged victorious at the Grand Slam stage in New York. He became the first male player from the 2000s (born in 2003) to lift the US Open, and, subsequently, the youngest man and the first teenager in the Open Era to top the world ranking chart. Since then, Alcaraz has lifted three more Slams. He captured his maiden victory at the French Open this year and defended his title at Wimbledon for the second consecutive year against Serbian Djokovic.

More fans on X entered the chat to express that Alcaraz embodies “Youth and skill, divine treasures”. Another user preached to the fans on social media outlining, “This kid, is called aura”. While the Spanish star’s stronghold in the tour isn’t up for debate, his recent results from this year are. He suffered multiple bouts of dropped form that dipped his chances for an ‘ideal’ finish to the season. Moreover, when he wasn’t at his best, Alcaraz shook fans by dismantling his racket at Flushing Meadows.

While some of those poor results can be attributed to the exhaustion caused due to the much-lamented hectic touring calendar, Alcaraz still needs to find a way back. To makeup, the Spaniard aims to lift his first-ever title in Melbourne after he commences his run in 2025 at the Australian hardcourt swing.