Carlos Alcaraz Battles Critics and Conditions to Reach Italian Open Final
In the high-pressure world of elite sports, scrutiny is constant, especially online. While some athletes like Stefanos Tsitsipas choose to ignore the noise, others, such as Coco Gauff, acknowledge it with poise. Gauff once responded to her online critics by noting, “Most of the internet coaches never coached anyone at my level or never played.” This sentiment echoed again during the Italian Open, as Carlos Alcaraz and Lorenzo Musetti’s semifinal clash drew not just fan admiration but harsh criticism—until former pro Rennae Stubbs stepped in.
Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spaniard, defeated Italy’s Musetti 6-3, 7-6(4) on Friday to reach his first final in Rome, overcoming blustery conditions and a passionate home crowd. Despite the straight-sets win, fans criticized the match quality, highlighting a combined 86 unforced errors between the two players. One viewer dismissed the match as an “error fest,” prompting Stubbs—who previously coached Serena Williams—to clap back. She asked the critic when they had last played at the Italian Open or faced players of that caliber, firmly defending the athletes.
Though the match may not have been a masterclass in precision, it was a test of resilience. Alcaraz admitted the conditions made clean tennis nearly impossible, but credited his success to playing smart and staying mentally tough. “It wasn’t about playing brilliant, spectacular tennis. It was about playing smart tennis,” he said post-match.
Error fest in Rome.
Alcaraz: 42 unforced errors
Musetti: 44 unforced errors https://t.co/rSfC13O8Mg— Maciej Trąbski (@MTrabski) May 16, 2025
Alcaraz now holds a 26-2 clay record since last May and has already claimed titles in Rotterdam and Monte Carlo this year. His road to the final in Rome adds another layer to an already impressive 2025 season.
Lorenzo Musetti, meanwhile, had his own strong run in Rome. He defeated top contenders, including Daniil Medvedev in the Round of 16 and Alexander Zverev in straight sets in the quarterfinals, before falling to Alcaraz.
The rising Spanish star has faced mounting pressure in recent months following inconsistent results. Some fans have questioned whether he’s living up to the hype. But Novak Djokovic came to his defense, stating, “He’s 21 years old, he’s won four Grand Slams and many tournaments. What more do you want?” Djokovic emphasized that Alcaraz’s accomplishments at such a young age are already remarkable.
Now, Alcaraz is set to face either Jannik Sinner or Tommy Paul in the Rome final on Sunday, May 18. A win would boost his confidence heading into Roland Garros, where he’ll defend his title. The question remains: can Carlos silence his critics and prove he’s not just the future of tennis—but the present?