Carlos Alcaraz had to dig deep into his reserves of grit and stamina to overcome a mid-match slump and edge past Damir Dzumhur in a challenging third-round clash at Roland Garros. Although the scoreline—6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4—suggests a reasonably comfortable victory, the defending champion found himself caught in a tricky situation that nearly flipped the script.
Early on, Alcaraz looked every bit the reigning king of clay, firing on all cylinders as he raced through the opening two sets with flair and dominance. His trademark forehand was firing, his movement electric, and it seemed he was set for a swift win under the lights of Court Philippe Chatrier. But as the match wore on, the momentum shifted. Dzumhur stepped up his game, pushing deeper into the baseline and ramping up the pressure. Alcaraz, meanwhile, saw his energy dip, and with it, his command of the match faltered.
“I didn’t enjoy it too much. I suffered quite a lot,” Alcaraz admitted frankly, offering a rare glimpse into the mental and physical toll such matches can take.
“That’s why it’s difficult to win Grand Slams – because you have to play a really high level of tennis for three to four hours and maintain your focus. That is the most difficult part of tennis.
“The first two sets were under control and then he decided to play deeper and more aggressively. My energy went down and it was difficult to push myself, but I had to give everything I had inside. In the end, I’m proud to get the win in the end.
“I love playing this kind of game. Playing aggressively, hitting great forehands and going to the net. When I play with confidence, I just go for it. Find the power and just kill it. I like to do that.
“Now I have to recover. We play a match on court and then we play another match to try and recover to be ready for the next match.”
Alcaraz’s confession reflects the grind of Grand Slam tennis—where even champions must weather storms mid-match and claw their way back with sheer determination. His style, bold and fearless, was on full display, but it also exposed a double-edged sword: the fine line between flair and overexertion.
Jim Courier, former world No. 1 and now a seasoned analyst, offered an intriguing critique of Alcaraz’s explosive approach. While he praised the Spaniard’s unique, aggressive game, Courier also hinted that this same quality might be what holds him back from entering the pantheon of tennis legends.
“I couldn’t be more torn about this,” said Courier. “I could not be more in love with the style of tennis he brings to the court and in awe of it because it is something so unique.
“His unbelievably aggressive mindset is so different from the Spanish mentality, which is concentrated and percentage tennis.
“Then the other part of me that wants to see him challenge the all-time great records thinks if he could just do a little less of that, maybe in 15 years’ time we could be looking at you and Novak (Djokovic), Rafa (Nadal) and Roger (Federer).
“I have long admired all the Spanish players as they always get the best out of their game and they never beat themselves.
“Alcaraz is a very different style of player and he doesn’t really have what I would consider the Spanish tennis mentality.”
While Courier’s comments might spark debate, they underscore a broader question: Can Alcaraz sustain this high-risk, high-reward style over a career that spans decades?
Looking ahead, the Spaniard will next go toe-to-toe with American powerhouse Ben Shelton in the fourth round. On paper, Alcaraz enters the match as the favorite, especially given the slower clay surface that could neutralize Shelton’s booming serve. However, the physical and mental tests of Grand Slam tennis demand more than just talent—sharp focus and recovery will be crucial.
If Alcaraz hopes to keep his title defense alive and avoid further mid-match rollercoasters, he’ll need to find the perfect balance between brilliance and consistency. In a sport where momentum can turn in a heartbeat, even champions must learn to tame their inner fire.