Coach Mouratoglou: Alcaraz’s Biggest Enemy

By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Photo credit: Antoine Couvercelle/ROLEX

Carlos Alcaraz’s greatest enemy isn’t hiding deep in the draw or poised to pounce from a Top 10-ranking spot.

The world No. 1’s greatest threat is between the ears, says coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

Mouratoglou, who formerly coached Serena Williams, says the biggest threat to Alcaraz’s reign is boredom.

The 22-year-old Spanish superstar started this season on a 16-0 tear, including capturing the Australian Open to become the youngest man in history to complete the career Grand Slam.

Since that sizzling start, Alcaraz lost to Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells semifinals then bowed to Sebastian Korda in the Miami Open third round.

Sensing a lack of energy and urgency in Alcaraz, Mouratoglou says the US Open champion is not as motivated for ATP Masters 1000 tournaments as he is for Grand Slams.

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“Alcaraz is bored,” Mouratoglou said. “The guy already has won seven Grand Slams. And I feel like playing Masters 1000, he’s won so many of already, he’s not that interested.

“That’s really a feeling that I have. I also feel that will be the danger for him in the next years. And you know a lot of people say Oh, this year in Roland Garros or Wimbledon or US Open, he doesn’t play well in the first rounds.

“Yeah, he doesn’t play well because he’s bored! And he has so much margin when the match is too easy he’s losing his focus because deep inside he knows he can break back anytime.”