Carlos Alcaraz has often expressed that Rafael Nadal was his childhood hero. The two Spaniards share numerous similarities, leading many to view Alcaraz as the natural successor to Nadal's throne. However, Alcaraz is keen to establish his own identity in the tennis world.

Breaking Free from Comparisons

In a recent Netflix documentary series, Alcaraz made it clear that he does not want to be labeled as Nadal's successor. "I want to be called Carlos Alcaraz Garfia," he asserts. Nadal, a 22-time major winner, understands the pressure these comparisons can bring. "When you're young and they're constantly comparing you to some professional that's been on the circuit for many years, there are times you get tired of hearing it," Nadal explains. "This leads to an excess of pressure and in the end, I think it can distort your daily life and even confuse you."

A Year of Triumphs and Trials

The documentary, Carlos Alcaraz: My Way, follows the 21-year-old throughout his 2024 campaign, during which he defended his Wimbledon title and clinched his first French Open trophy—the same major where Nadal was crowned a record 14 times. Despite these successes, Alcaraz reveals the challenges he faces in balancing his professional and personal life. "I guess right now my fear would be that tennis becomes an obligation," he admits.

Emotional Struggles and Triumphs

One poignant moment in the documentary captures Alcaraz tearfully reflecting on a second-round loss to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open, where he smashed his racquet in frustration. "The fact of the matter is, I wasn't mentally strong enough to overcome all the stress," he confesses. "I didn't know if I needed to quit or if I was losing my passion."

The Impact of Defeat and Recovery

Alcaraz also opens up about the impact of his 2023 French Open semi-final defeat by Novak Djokovic. Following the loss, he decided to take a break and went on holiday to Ibiza. "I wanted to go there basically to just get wasted," he says. "I made the most of it because I knew I might not get another three days like that. When I got back, of course, I won Queen's and Wimbledon. I'm not saying partying helped me win, but taking that time off was good for me."

A Balancing Act

Alcaraz returned to Ibiza last year, against the advice of his agent Albert Molina Lopez and coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. Soon after, his Queen's title defense was ended in the second round by Britain's Jack Draper. However, Alcaraz went on to beat Djokovic in the Wimbledon final later that month. Ferrero, who previously coached Alexander Zverev, expresses his frustration at times with Alcaraz's decisions. "We are here to create the greatest player because of his abilities and opportunities," Ferrero says. "But if he's not that determined, [if] he's OK with being ranked number 15 in the world, then we'll lower our expectations."

Aspiring for Greatness

In the final scenes of the documentary, Alcaraz contemplates whether he has "the mindset" to "become the greatest player in history." "Well, right now, I don't know," he says. "I'm still young, I have a lot ahead of me, but from what I've lived so far, I definitely prefer to put happiness before any kind of accomplishment. Being happy is an accomplishment and happiness isn't always easy to find."

Carlos Alcaraz is determined to forge his own path in the world of tennis, stepping out of the shadow of his idol, Rafael Nadal, and creating a legacy that is uniquely his own.