Carlos Alcaraz might be treading on a thin line separating his healthy self from that of an injury-marred future. The Spaniard has stormed the tour with his fiesty on-court skills, making a name for himself for the first time in 2022 by becoming the second-youngest player since countryman Rafael Nadal to lift the Madrid Open title. However, according to Serena Williams‘ ex-coach Rick Macci, the former World No. 1 might be cruising towards problematic physical restraints, much like Nadal’s younger self.

The young talent was last seen in action at the Shanghai Masters. Despite finessing his athletic prowess, Alcaraz had to bow out in the quarterfinals hours after acknowledging his childhood idol Rafa’s shock retirement announcement. While his Asian hardcourt swing wasn’t a complete disaster, having won the China Open after downing arch-rival Jannik Sinner, he might have to watch out for an alarming update that might prove fatal to his professional commitments.

Taking on social media, American coach Rick Macci pointed out that Alcaraz’s explosiveness and “uncanny shot-making from the corners” might put him on par with Nadal’s injury-plagued phase. That makes sense, after all the Spaniard’s game style resonates with a similar output produced by Rafa in his prime. The Spanish legend’s extensive history with injuries during his glory days never fully faded  – with such concerns ultimately forcing him to draw the curtains on his illustrious career of two decades recently.

“His movement is a violent burst of stops and pops slides and glides twists and turns that is dynamic and acrobatic and is turbocharged with explosive combustive energy that leads to uncanny shot-making from the corners but injury could also be around the corner,” Williams’ former coach Macci wrote on X.

As for Alcaraz, the young Spaniard did not jet back home after enduring a disappointing loss in Shanghai. Instead, the 21-year-old spectated Jannik Sinner take down Novak Djokovic in the summit clash of the event, seated alongside Roger Federer. In case you’re wondering about the intriguing off-court match-up of Alcaraz and Federer, the duo seemingly sat together for two crucial reasons.

Roger Federer makes good on candid admission to spend time with Carlos Alcaraz

Swiss superstar Roger Federer spent an ample amount of time with young Carlos Alcaraz at the Shanghai Masters. After iterating his intention of apologizing to the Spaniard for snubbing him at Wimbledon years ago, the duo is finally in a good spot. Both stars sat together to spectate Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic lock horns for the Shanghai title. Moreover, the duo constantly engaged in mysterious conversations during the showdown. But, given that his interest in the tournament concluded in the QF, why did he stay back?

Well, for starters, the Spanish sensation will be jetting off to Saudi Arabia for the Six Kings exhibition event which commences on Wednesday- wherein he will be joined by both Sinner and Djokovic. Furthermore, Fed and Alcaraz’s shared link with the event’s official sponsor, Rolex, potentially served as the reason behind their exciting match-up at the stands.

After concluding his commitments at the upcoming exhibition event in Saudi, Alcaraz will next take to the court at the ATP Finals. There, the former World No. 1 will aim to maximize his output and, with it, hope to decorate his resume for one last time this season.