Roger Federer’s former coach, Paul Annacone, revealed a pivotal moment in Carlos Alcaraz’s 2024 season when the young Spaniard struggled with form and consistency. According to Annacone, the four-time Grand Slam champion’s decline started after his Olympic Games final defeat to Novak Djokovic in Paris, a match that saw the World No. 3 claim a Silver Medal instead of the coveted Gold. This loss marked a turning point in an otherwise stellar year for the 21-year-old.
Paul Annacone’s Perspective on Alcaraz’s Dip
Speaking on the Inside-In Podcast, Annacone highlighted the emotional and psychological toll of Alcaraz’s defeat to Djokovic. “You have to find what motivates you and stick with it. And I think Carlos Alcaraz is a joyful player. I think this year he lost a little bit of that joy, for a multitude of reasons,” Annacone explained.
Annacone believes Alcaraz’s Silver Medal, while a tremendous accomplishment, was a bittersweet achievement. “That’s a great accomplishment, but I think it broke his heart a little bit at the Olympics, and I think it messed him up a little bit for the rest of the summer.” The disappointment seemed to linger, impacting the Spaniard’s confidence and performance in subsequent tournaments.
Alcaraz entered the summer of 2024 in dominant form, becoming the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back. His French Open victory marked his first triumph on the Roland Garros clay, and he followed it by defending his title on the grass courts of Wimbledon. These victories put him on course to achieve a historic treble, aiming to emulate Rafael Nadal’s 2008 Olympic gold and Steffi Graf’s 1988 Golden Slam. The summer schedule, however, was grueling. Alcaraz navigated the intense demands of the French Open, Wimbledon, and the Olympics in just two months. In the Olympic final, he faced Novak Djokovic, who was equally determined to secure his first Olympic Gold. The match, widely regarded as one of the finest of the season, ended in heartbreak for the 21-year-old as Djokovic emerged victorious.
Before the Olympic final, Alcaraz boasted an impressive win-loss record of 35-7. However, his form dipped significantly following the loss, with a 13-6 record in the remainder of the season. His struggles were evident in early-round defeats at the Cincinnati Open and US Open, though he briefly rebounded with victories at the Laver Cup and China Open.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Despite these setbacks, Alcaraz’s 2024 season still had its highlights. He claimed his fourth title of the year in Beijing and displayed flashes of brilliance. However, early exits in the Shanghai Masters, Paris Masters, and ATP Finals demonstrated inconsistency, and his season ended on a sour note with Spain’s shock Davis Cup quarter-final defeat to the Netherlands.
Although Alcaraz ended the year as World No. 3, trailing rivals Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev in the rankings, his accomplishments underscored his potential. With four ATP titles and the experience of an Olympic final, the 21-year-old remains a force to be reckoned with. As Alcaraz heads into 2025, the lessons of 2024—particularly the resilience required to bounce back from setbacks—will be critical. With the Australian Open around the corner, the tennis world will watch closely to see if he can recapture his joyful, dynamic form on the court.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
