“Carlos Alcaraz is the best thing for tennis in the past 20 years,” Rick Macci declared back in 2023, praising the Spanish sensation as a generational talent. And how right he was! At just 21, Alcaraz has already clinched 4 Grand Slam titles and made history by becoming the youngest-ever ATP World No. 1 at 19 years, 4 months, and 6 days, shattering Lleyton Hewitt’s long-standing record. Even recently, after his commanding run to the Monte Carlo final, Alcaraz overtook Jannik Sinner in the year-to-date rankings. As Carlitos rides high on his latest clay court success, Macci has now upped the praise as well: comparing the Spaniard to a 5-star general, a fitting nod to his electrifying all-court mastery.
After a rocky hard-court run that saw him lose to Jack Draper in the Indian Wells SF and suffer a shock second-round exit in Miami to David Goffin, Carlos Alcaraz made a thunderous return to form on clay. In Monte Carlo, he overcame a sluggish start to defeat Italian Lorenzo Musetti 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 in the final, turning the tide with his trademark resilience and court mastery. Musetti, chasing the biggest title of his career, battled hard until a leg injury slowed him down mid-match.
Alcaraz’s victory marks his 6th ATP Masters 1000 title and 18th career trophy, adding momentum ahead of his French Open title defense in May. Following the triumph yesterday, legendary coach Rick Macci couldn’t hold back his admiration. The 70-year-old compared Alcaraz’s athletic dominance not only to tennis legends but even drew parallels with athletic greats beyond the sport.
Macci took to his X account to once again heap praise on the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, drawing comparisons between the young Spaniard and some of the game’s all-time greats. He wrote, “Alcaraz has 5 rare air ingredients wrapped in one we have not seen on a tennis court. GRIND like Nadal. ART like Fed. ELASTICITY like Joker. LASERS like Andre. SPEED like Bolt.”
Carlos has 5 rare air ingredients wrapped in one we have not seen on a tennis court. GRIND like Nadal. ART like Fed. ELASTICITY like Joker. LASERS like Andre. SPEED like Bolt. @carlosalcaraz
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) April 14, 2025
Heaping praise on Alcaraz further, he added, “Alcaraz sees the game thru a different lens. What is low % for another is not for the Spanish Brother. Carlos paints the game with a unique Brush and at 21 there is no Rush. His creative game will get so much BETTER and it has elements of RAFA JOKER and FEDERER.”
The 70-year-old has long been an admirer of the Spaniard’s talent and potential. In fact, back in November 2023, Macci boldly predicted that Alcaraz would win “a bucket of Grand Slams”: a prophecy that is already coming true. In 2024, Alcaraz claimed two major titles: his first Roland-Garros and second Wimbledon crown, once again toppling Novak Djokovic in the final.
Even then, Macci said, “He (Alcaraz) is a combination of, I tell everybody, (Roger) Federer, (Rafael) Nadal, Djokovic, and (Andre) Agassi, all wrapped in one. He has make-up speed like no other. Once he hits that other gear his turbo speed is amazing.”
While Alcaraz has added another Masters title to his career with the Monte Carlo triumph, he has also surpassed his German rival, Alexander Zverev in the ATP rankings
Carlos Alcaraz clinched the second ATP spot after the Monte Carlo win
After Jannik Sinner was handed a 3-month suspension in February, all eyes turned to Carlos Alcaraz to reclaim the spotlight. Though he bounced back with a win in Rotterdam following his AO disappointment, his momentum stalled during the Sunshine Double, where the 21-year-old exited without a title for the first time in three years. However, his recent triumph at Monte Carlo has shifted the narrative once again, breathing new life into his pursuit of the ATP’s top spot.
The victory in Monaco isn’t just another trophy for Alcaraz, it’s a major statement in the rankings race as well. With the full 1,000 points from Monte Carlo, the Spaniard has now surged past Alexander Zverev, climbing to 7,720 points and reclaiming the second position. Zverev, who suffered an early exit, drops to third with 7,595 points, clearing the way for Alcaraz’s upward climb.
This marks a resurgence for the 21-year-old, whose confidence appears fully restored after a shaky start to the season. Missing Monte Carlo last year, Alcaraz had no points to defend, making this win even more impactful for him to narrow the gap with Sinner.
“I am really happy to win Monte-Carlo for the first time. It has been a really difficult week with a lot of difficult situations. I am proud with how I dealt with everything. It has been a difficult month for me, so coming here and seeing the hard work pay off makes me happy,” the Spaniard said after his historic triumph.
Next up for Alcaraz is the Madrid Open, where he is a two-time champion. With his clay-court game clicking into high gear, it’s about time the Spaniard shows his masterclass on the clay again. Are you backing him?
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