When it comes to standout tennis, Carlos Alcaraz is firmly on top. Fresh off his second US Open title earlier this month, the Spaniard leapfrogged rival Jannik Sinner to reclaim the No.1 crown. His 2025 season sparkles with seven trophies, pushing his career tally to 23 tour titles. His fearless game and jaw-dropping drop shots keep fans in awe. Even Andy Murray admits the 22-year-old makes him feel a little nostalgic.
The former British No.1, who won three Grand Slams and was once part of the Big Four alongside Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, is now retired. These days, you’ll more likely find him on the golf course than on a tennis court. He spoke to The Sunday Times on September 20, reflecting on life after hanging up the racket at Wimbledon and the Olympics last year.
Between school runs with his kids and playing golf, Murray also joked about Carlos Alcaraz as a golfer. He wasn’t impressed with the Spaniard’s swing. But his tennis? That left him thinking. “He’s a very average golfer, unfortunately for him, but his tennis reminds me of my favourite footballer growing up and I got to see live a few times, which was Ronaldinho,” Murray said. That’s huge praise!
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For those who didn’t follow football in the 2000s, Ronaldinho was Brazil’s magician. A legend of flair and joy, he twice won FIFA World Player of the Year and also the Ballon d’Or. He played 97 times for Brazil, scoring 33 goals. He lifted the 2002 World Cup, the 1999 Copa América, the 2005 Confederations Cup, a Champions League, a Copa Libertadores, and that Ballon d’Or. A complete trophy cabinet. He retired in 2018.
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At just 22, Carlos Alcaraz already owns six Grand Slam titles: Two each at the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. He’s one of the brightest stars in tennis and a global sports icon. Murray sees more than just the Spaniard’s wins. He credits his charisma and flair for entertaining crowds, much like Ronaldinho, the dazzling winger from Barcelona and AC Milan.
“They’ve got all of this skill and ability, they obviously want to win, but they play with a smile on their face. If the moment comes to do something entertaining they will, and I think that’s what makes them so absorbing because you never know what is going to happen next, so I particularly enjoy watching him.” Murray added.
Now, fresh from his US Open triumph and return to world No.1, Alcaraz pulls on the Team Europe shirt for the Laver Cup. Last year, he helped the team snap their winless streak and take the title. This year, though, looks more like a battle.
Carlos Alcaraz faces a surprise upset against Fritz
Alcaraz’s blazing 13-match winning streak finally hit a wall on Saturday night at the Laver Cup. The 22-year-old Spaniard, fresh off his US Open triumph, was stopped by Team World’s Taylor Fritz in San Francisco. Playing for Team Europe, Alcaraz racked up 19 unforced errors, almost double Fritz’s 10, according to ATP’s official site.
Reflecting on the loss, Alcaraz admitted the night didn’t go his way. “It was not the match that I was expecting, but I think I have to look a little bit to him that I think he played great tennis. I just was not as solid as I wanted in the match, and I think these conditions, it is pretty slow. The balls are really big, so I had to be solid. I did not play that match today,” he said in quotes carried by ATP Tour.
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He didn’t hesitate to praise his opponent, either. “Taylor played a great match, really solid, playing aggressively when he could. I think everything went to his side, so I had to congratulate him and say that he played a much better game than I did,” Carlos Alcaraz added. For Fritz, it was a statement win. For Alcaraz, a reminder that even the world No.1 can have an off night.
Now, as the Laver Cup heads into its final day, the drama builds. Team World holds a 9-6 lead, leaving Team Europe with work to do if they want to hold onto the crown they reclaimed last year. Will Alcaraz rally his teammates for one last push before he jets off to the Tokyo Open? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!