ATP Finals Player Profile: Carlos Alcaraz

Current Ranking: 2

W/L: 63-10

Titles: 6 (Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, Madrid, London, Wimbledon)

Grand Slam Record: 17-2

ATP Finals Appearance: Debut

Best Result: N/A

There was no sophomore slump for Carlos Alcaraz. After a meteoric rise in 2022 which included a first Grand Slam title and becoming the youngest-ever season-ending No. 1, the Spaniard produced a smash-hit follow-up. The 20 year-old doubled his career-title haul which included two ATP 1000 Masters wins and a second major. Along the way, his swashbuckling shot-making became must-see, shareable content.

Alcaraz’s season got off to a delayed start as a hamstring injury sidelined him for the Australian Open. However, once he hit the court, he amassed a 30-3 record and four titles heading into Roland Garros. His showdown with Novak Djokovic in the semifinals ended anticlimactically with Alcaraz cramping in the third set, putting off any ascension to the clay-court throne for at least another year.

Surprisingly, it was on grass where Alcaraz made the most noise. Just 4-2 lifetime on the surface coming in, he won Queen’s Club—which put him back at No. 1—before upending Djokovic in an epic five-set Wimbledon final that captivated the pro sports universe. Alcaraz became just the fifth man to win a second major before his 21st birthday.

However, things haven’t been so rosy since that title. He lost another classic against Djokovic in the Cincinnati final, before getting outplayed by Daniil Medvedev in the US Open semifinals. A semifinal in Beijing has been the most notable result so far this fall.

Injuries also crept back into the picture. Alcaraz’s daredevil style is mesmerizing, but it appears to take a toll on his body. This time, a troublesome foot and sore lower back caused him to withdraw from Basel. His return to play in Paris just ahead of the season-ending championships was brief, thanks to an error-filled opening loss.

After missing last year’s edition due to injury, Alcaraz is making his maiden ATP Finals appearance. Winning it would give him an outside chance of repeating as year-end No. 1. But given how his career is starting, it’s unlikely to be his last.

Grab Alcaraz’s Gear

Babolat RPM Blast ($19/set; $260/reel) (Purchase now at TennisShop.com)

When it comes to control strings with tons of spin-potential, RPM Blast spearheads the category. Popularized by Rafael Nadal, the polyester is one of the most popular models on tour. The octagonal shape and silicone coating accentuates the string’s snap-back, which combines with Alcaraz’s breakneck swing speed to produce his ball-crunching strokes. In addition, there are five other RPM models with tweaks to the composition—different shape, coatings, texture—to manipulate playing characteristics such as greater power (RPM Soft), spin (RPM Rough), and durability (RPM Hurricane).