The intense arena of competitive sports invariably invites scrutiny, yet online criticism can relentlessly pursue even top athletes. While some, like Stefanos Tsitsipas, seek refuge in digital silence and ignorance, while Coco Gauff, who faced constant backlash and advice on how to improve from critics online, offers a grounded perspective, stating, “I guess you just have to realize that most of the internet coaches never coached anyone at my level or never played.” Recently, Carlos Alcaraz and Lorenzo Musetti’s match became a highlight from a fan’s perspective, but Rennae Stubbs wasn’t having any of it!
On Friday at the Italian Open in Rome, Alcaraz showed his composure and grit once again. The 22-year-old Spaniard secured his spot in the final with a 6-3, 7-6(4) win over home favorite Musetti. The match tested him with windy conditions and a loud Italian crowd. Despite a mid-match surge from Musetti, Alcaraz held firm to reach his 25th tour-level final.
When tennis journalist Jose Morgado shared the news of Alcaraz advancing, a fan was quick to criticize. Not just Carlos, but Musetti too! They wrote, “Error fest in Rome. Alcaraz: 42 unforced errors Musetti: 44 unforced errors,” calling out the mistakes in the nearly two-hour match. Rennae Stubbs, who coached Serena Williams at the 2022 US Open, fired back with a reality check: “When was the last time you played at the Italian Open? When was the last time you played against Alcaraz or Musetti?”
Error fest in Rome.
Alcaraz: 42 unforced errors
Musetti: 44 unforced errors https://t.co/rSfC13O8Mg
— Maciej Trąbski (@MTrabski) May 16, 2025
It’s true that the match lacked consistent quality, but Alcaraz had the edge early on, racing to a one-set lead. His focus slipped in the second set, letting Musetti back in. Both players made plenty of unforced errors. Still, Alcaraz clinched the win in a tense tiebreak, 6-3, 7-6 [7-4], reaching his first final in Rome.
“Today was a really difficult day with the conditions, the wind was tough to play with,” Alcaraz admitted. He’s now 26-2 on clay since last May. “It wasn’t about playing brilliant, spectacular tennis. It was about playing smart tennis, playing solid, going to the point when you can, and waiting for the chance to play aggressively. I think I did that pretty well, I stayed strong mentally when things didn’t go to my side.”
Alcaraz’s skills remain razor-sharp. This is his fifth semifinal appearance in 2025. He’s already won two titles this year- Rotterdam and the Monte Carlo Masters. Lorenzo Musetti’s season has been solid, if not spectacular. He started the Italian Open with a straight-sets win over Finland’s Otto Virtanen, then beat American Brandon Nakashima in the Round of 32.
The real excitement began in the Round of 16 when Musetti ousted Daniil Medvedev. On Thursday, he kept the momentum by defeating No.3 Alexander Zverev in straight sets (7-6(1), 6-4) to reach the Rome semis. Both players have had quite the ride so far!
Critics will keep talking, but Carlos is focused on the finals Sunday, May 18. Rennae Stubbs isn’t the only one backing the Spaniard. Djokovic has also stood up for Carlos amid the online pressure.
Novak shuts down critics noting Carlos’ skills compared to his age
The 21-year-old World No. 2 from Spain has been under the microscope lately. After a patchy nine months with a few surprising losses, the pressure is mounting. The tennis world expects big things from him as the fresh generation gears up to take over from the veterans. But Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Major champ and last of the old guard, thinks the criticism is way off base.
“No, I don’t understand it (the criticism Alcaraz has faced),” Djokovic told Eurosport Spain ahead of the Madrid Masters. He pointed out Spain’s rich tennis history with legends like Nadal, Moya, and Ferrero all hitting world No. 1. “But, listen. He’s 21 years old, he’s won four Grand Slams and many tournaments. What more do you want? You want more, but what he’s done in this period is incredible.” Djokovic’s take puts Alcaraz’s achievements into sharp perspective.
Lately, Alcaraz has been hitting his stride. He clinched the Monte Carlo Masters and made it to the Barcelona final, where Holger Rune got the better of him. Now he’s set for his first final in Rome. Depending on who wins between Jannik Sinner and Tommy Paul, Alcaraz could face his fiercest rival or the American he’s beaten four times out of six.
The big question: can Alcaraz quiet the doubters and snag the Rome title before heading to Roland Garros as the defending champ? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The post Serena Williams’ Ex-Coach Brutally Slams Fan Over Unwanted Criticism of Carlos Alcaraz and His Opponent at the Italian Open appeared first on EssentiallySports.
