Carlos Alcaraz’s signature strengths may become liabilities soon, claims former tennis star: 'Too good for his own good'

Former Great Britain tennis player Danny Sapsford has issued a warning to Carlos Alcaraz, signalling that his defining qualities could become liabilities during matches.

Carlos Alcaraz has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in tennis, with his raw power, speed and intellect across surfaces. He has made history after becoming the youngest to complete a career Grand Slam and becoming the world number one, showcasing utmost dominance on the court.

Alcaraz’s key assets could cost him matches, says ex-pro

While Carlos Alcaraz may look like a complete player, Danny Sapsford believes that his natural talent may work against him at times, as it may distract him from his focus during matches. Sapsford added that, unlike himself, who relied on intensity and mental strength to compensate for weaker skills, Alcaraz does not always remain fully focused.

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"The one thing I find without Alcaraz is he’s almost too good for his own good, and that means concentration slips a little bit during a match. If he wasn’t so talented, he’d probably need to focus more like I had to. I felt like my tennis game wasn’t very good, but I made up for it with my intensity, my concentration and my mental strength." Sanny Sapsford said, as quoted by Tennis365.

The former tennis player added that Alcaraz can be vulnerable in the early rounds of tournaments, when he isn’t dialled in. But once he reaches the quarterfinals or semifinals, he becomes almost unbeatable.

“I think as a result, his mental approach is sometimes a little bit lax. And I think the time to beat him is early on in the tournament where he’s not where he’s not totally dialled in. I think as soon as he gets through to quarter-finals and semi-finals, like there’s no touching him and no stopping him,” Sapsford added.

Carlos Alcaraz targeting a grass-court comeback

Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed that he cannot defend his French Open title because of a wrist injury. The Spaniard sustained the injury during the first round of the Barcelona Open, and scans have revealed that it is more serious than expected.

In 2025, Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in one of the greatest clay-court summit clashes, which lasted for five hours and 29 minutes, to claim consecutive title wins. He had won the title in 2024 as well and was looking to win Roland Garros for the third time in a row.

The Spaniard is now targeting a comeback in grass-court competitions, potentially at the Queen's Club Championships in June 2026.