Carlos Alcaraz vs. Rafael Nadal: Is Spain’s New Star the Most Complete Player in Tennis?
Whether it’s hard courts, grass, or clay, 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz from Murcia, Spain, continues to shine across every surface. Since turning professional in 2018, he’s already claimed four Grand Slam titles. In 2023, he made history as the youngest male to achieve a Career Surface Slam—winning majors on all three surfaces.
Respected tennis figures are taking notice. Renowned coach Rick Macci, who once guided Serena Williams, didn’t hold back in his praise, calling Alcaraz “the most complete player I have ever seen.” According to Macci, Alcaraz checks every box—technical, mental, and imaginative—and even likened him to a fusion of the legendary “Big 3” and Andre Agassi.
Carlos Alcaraz’s first coach, Carlos Santos, who trained him from ages 5 to 12, also sees something extraordinary. In a recent interview, Santos said that, compared to Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz is “much more complete.” He emphasized Alcaraz’s technical variety—his slice, volley, and especially his drop shots—as skills that set him apart. Santos called Alcaraz “a magician” with an unpredictable game that excites fans.
This comparison with Nadal has been ongoing ever since Alcaraz emerged on the pro scene. Tennis great Bjorn Borg once predicted Alcaraz could match or even surpass Nadal’s legacy, citing his adaptability and mindset. Still, not everyone agrees. Paolo Bertolucci acknowledged their stylistic differences and claimed Alcaraz “is a thousand miles away from Rafa in his head.”
For his part, Alcaraz has expressed discomfort with the constant comparisons. In his Netflix documentary Carlos Alcaraz: My Way, he made it clear: “I don’t want to be called Rafa’s successor. I want to be called Carlos Alcaraz Garfia.” He admitted that the comparisons bring unwanted pressure and distract from his personal journey.
Reactions to the documentary have stirred further conversation. Carlos Santos, his childhood coach, felt his role in Alcaraz’s development was underrepresented. Meanwhile, Nadal’s longtime coach Carlos Moya pointed out that Alcaraz might be placing unrealistic expectations on himself, but noted that he’s young and will continue to evolve.
Rafael Nadal himself commented on the documentary, expressing concern that it misrepresented Alcaraz. In a recent interview, he said the portrayal made it seem like Alcaraz lacked professionalism, which he insisted is not true. Nadal emphasized that Alcaraz is indeed a serious and dedicated athlete, and the documentary failed to reflect his true character and commitment.
Now, all eyes turn to Roland Garros. Nadal will be honored at the tournament for his legendary contributions, while Alcaraz prepares to defend his title. After clinching the Italian Open, Alcaraz declared, “All eyes are on Paris now, on Roland Garros.” He’s expected to face stiff competition, including Ben Shelton in the fourth round and Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals.
As the new and old guard of Spanish tennis meet again on the biggest stage, the question remains: is Alcaraz already surpassing Nadal in terms of completeness? Or does Nadal’s legacy remain untouchable? The court, once again, will decide.