Carlos Alcaraz, first broadsides after the knockout with Sinner: "Why did it come two days later?

Former world number one Carlos Alcaraz is facing the first inevitable criticism after his Monte Carlo final loss to Jannik Sinner, who beat him in two sets, dethroning him. While many have praised the Azzurro’s mentality, able to bounce back immediately and find the right remedies after the Australian Open disappointment, many have pointed the finger at the Murcia outfielder’s attitude.

One of the most prominent pundits, Greg Rusedski, former world number four and current coach of Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, had harsh words for the Iberian: “Carlos had difficulties on the backhand, and if you have a slightly weak side, Sinner takes advantage of it right away and will do so in the future as well.”

“Carlos needs to focus a little more and make the backhand work better. Also, at the moment he doesn’t look as bright as he did at the beginning of the year,” continued Rusedski, who went on to insist just about the Spaniard’s mental attitude: “He was very focused after Carlos Ferrero said goodbye and had a great period of form. Then he had a little dip and he hasn’t been the same player since,” he continued on his podcast.

“I was in Monte Carlo last week and Jannik Sinner started training on the Thursday before the match, while Carlos arrived only on Saturday. You could say that Jannik’s preparation was slightly better than Alcaraz’s. Does he need more time off? He needs to find the right balance between himself and his team.”

“I was concerned about his statements in Miami, when he was complaining about being there, saying he was a little bit fed up with tennis and with all those comments he made on the sidelines. So he needs to get that freshness and hunger back, because instead Sinner never drops in level.”