Two male tennis players in red Spain uniforms stand and talk on court, with a Paris 2024 sign visible in the background.

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Carlos Alcaraz Sets His Own Path Beyond Nadal Comparisons

Carlos Alcaraz has rapidly ascended the tennis world, drawing inevitable parallels to fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal. But as Netflix’s new documentary Carlos Alcaraz: My Way reveals, the 21-year-old is determined to carve out his own legacy — distinct from the shadow of a 22-time Grand Slam champion.

“I don’t want to be called Rafa’s successor,” Alcaraz says candidly. “I want to be called Carlos Alcaraz Garfia.”

While Nadal dominated the sport with 209 weeks atop the ATP rankings and an unmatched 14 titles at Roland-Garros, Alcaraz has already made significant strides. In 2024 alone, he defended his Wimbledon title and clinched his maiden French Open crown, achievements that underscore his rise but also fuel constant comparisons.

These comparisons, Nadal admits, can be burdensome. “You get tired of hearing it,” Nadal reflects. “It creates pressure that can distort your focus and personal balance.”

Alcaraz opens up about the mental toll of stardom, revealing his post-loss breakdown at the Cincinnati Open and a moment when tennis felt more like an obligation than a passion. His raw honesty paints a portrait of a young athlete striving to find balance. “I didn’t know if I needed to quit or if I was losing my passion,” he says.

Following a tough semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic at the 2023 French Open, Alcaraz took a spontaneous holiday in Ibiza — a decision that sparked concern from coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and agent Albert Molina. “We all knew he shouldn’t have gone,” Ferrero admits, voicing frustration. Yet Alcaraz returned from the break to win Queen’s and famously outplay Djokovic at Wimbledon.

Still, Ferrero warns of the delicate balance between talent and commitment. “If he’s satisfied with being world number 15, we’ll adjust. But that’s not how I work.”

The documentary closes with Alcaraz reflecting on his ambitions. “Do I have the mindset to be the greatest? I don’t know. What I do know is I value happiness over trophies. And happiness — that’s a real accomplishment.”

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