Carlos Alcaraz is no longer just a rising star—he’s a force reshaping the future of tennis. At just 22 years old, the Spanish phenom has already etched his name in the record books, becoming the youngest player to ever hold the ATP World No. 1 ranking. With his explosive playing style, undeniable charisma, and a rapidly growing list of accomplishments, comparisons to Rafael Nadal have become inevitable. But unlike Nadal, Alcaraz is determined to carve his own path—and he’s not afraid to do it differently.
In his newly released documentary, Carlos Alcaraz: My Way, the young Spaniard opens up about the emotional and psychological demands of elite competition. “I’m paving my way to becoming the best player in history. And I want to do it my way,” Alcaraz shares in the film. “Right now, my biggest fear is seeing tennis as an obligation. Sometimes I feel like I’m enslaved to tennis, and that causes anxiety, frustration, and doubts.”
These raw and introspective comments have sparked a broader conversation about what it takes to reach—and sustain—the pinnacle of tennis. One of the most respected voices in that conversation is Carlos Moyá, former World No. 1 and long-time coach to Rafael Nadal. Speaking at a recent event alongside Pedro Escudero, Moyá addressed Alcaraz’s ambitions and approach, offering praise tempered with caution.
“Alcaraz has everything needed to win Grand Slams in the short term,” Moyá acknowledged. “But if we’re talking about long-term dominance, about being the greatest in history, that’s a different challenge. Tennis is a marathon, not a sprint.”
According to Moyá, the mindset Alcaraz is advocating—seeking balance and resisting the idea of being consumed by the sport—is admirable, but it’s also untested at the level required to reach legendary status. “None of the three players who are considered the greatest—Nadal, Djokovic, Federer—achieved what they did while living what we’d call a ‘normal’ life,” he said. “They lived for tennis. Their lives were structured around their careers.”
Still, Moyá isn’t dismissing Alcaraz’s aspirations. “He’s a pioneer,” Moyá added. “Maybe he can do it differently. The level is certainly there, but sustaining that level over time with a more relaxed approach is a complicated path. Not impossible—but unprecedented.”
Drawing from his experience coaching Nadal from 2017 through to the twilight of his career, Moyá also offered insights into how Rafa maintained his edge without losing himself in the game. “Rafa wasn’t a slave to tennis,” he said. “He had a full life off the court—not necessarily by going to high-profile events, but through hobbies, family time, and disconnecting when needed. He was focused, but he wasn’t consumed.”
Moyá’s reflections point to a nuanced truth: greatness in tennis requires relentless dedication, but it doesn’t necessarily demand complete sacrifice of personal joy and balance. Whether Alcaraz can find a sustainable version of this formula remains to be seen.
As the tennis world watches the unfolding career of Carlos Alcaraz, one thing is certain: he is rewriting the rules, and doing it unapologetically. Whether his way leads to GOAT status or not, the journey promises to be unlike any we’ve seen before.
Do you think Alcaraz can become the greatest by doing it “his way”?