When it comes to conquering the tennis scene this season, Carlos Alcaraz has blown past expectations! The 22-year-old Spaniard has piled up seven titles in just nine months, including two Grand Slams. He’s also reclaimed the world No.1 throne. And the milestones keep coming: a sixth career Slam, the youngest man ever to win majors on all three surfaces (hard, clay, and grass), and a tour-leading 61 wins this season. To call his run impressive feels like underselling it, and his numbers are no joke!

Right now, Alcaraz is gearing up to join Team Europe at the Roger Federer co-founded 2025 Laver Cup. Last year, he played the hero by sealing victory over Taylor Fritz, snapping Team World’s momentum, and reclaiming the crown for Europe. This time, the buzz is the same: how does Team World plan to stop him?

Team World’s vice-captain Pat Rafter doubts anyone can halt Alcaraz. With a chuckle, he admitted, “You need throw something different at him as well, the guy has serious power and he’s a great athlete.” Tennis journalist Bastian Fachan echoed that concern with a killer stat from Berlin in 2024: Carlos Alcaraz ran the table, a clean 11-0 record against Team World. He even stayed perfect against their stars: Taylor Fritz (3-0), Alex de Minaur (4-0), Francisco Cerundolo (3-0). That dominance sparked a thrilling 13-11 comeback win for Europe on home soil.

So what’s Rafter got his fingers crossed for? He added, “So let’s just hope that he had a good week off after the US Open and that hasn’t recovered.” A half-joke, but it shows the uphill climb. The new draw makes it tougher. Carlos Alcaraz is backed by a stacked European lineup: Casper Ruud of Norway, Alexander Zverev of Germany, Holger Rune of Denmark, teenager Jakub Mensik from Czechia, and Italy’s rising talent Flavio Cobolli.

The Laver Cup begins on Friday, September 19, under the lights of the Chase Center. Casper Ruud is setting the tone against Reilly Opelka at 1:00 pm PDT. Then, Jakub Mensik is facing American Alex Michelsen.

In the evening session, Flavio Cobolli is taking on Joao Fonseca at 7:00 pm PDT. To close it out, all eyes turn to doubles, with Alcaraz teaming up with Mensik against the Team World duo of Taylor Fritz and Michelsen.

The competition has only just started, but sparks are already flying. Team World is wary, no surprise, but their captain, Andre Agassi, isn’t flinching.

Carlos Alcaraz gets a one-word shrug from American legend

Chatting with Andy Roddick on the Served Podcast, the Team World captain admitted, “Everytime you see Alcaraz’s name on the draw, it tends to make everything in your body tensed up a little bit.” Still, he cracked a joke to ease the nerves, teasing Alcaraz’s strength. “He’s so overrated. I told him when I saw him earlier, ‘Listen man, whatever’s worth, I know you are the enemy here but I can’t coach you and stuff. But you gotta work on your athleticism a little bit.’”

But even with the lighthearted humor, even Agassi knows just how dangerous the Spaniard is when the stakes get high, and his squad of Taylor Fritz, Alex Michelsen, Alex de Minaur, and more will feel the heat.

Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz is stepping into his second Laver Cup with nothing but excitement. He looked back on the 2024 Berlin edition with a grin, telling the Laver Cup site on September 18, “The energy that I got there…was crazy to be honest.” For the 22-year-old, that first taste of team tennis felt refreshing. “Having the opportunity to play a team event with the players that I used to fight against – for me was great. I just enjoyed, I think I got different energy to refresh my mind, my batteries just to come in even stronger for the next event.”

That Berlin triumph clearly left its mark. Alcaraz has stacked up trophies this season, but that memory shines bright. “It was really a special moment celebrating the Laver Cup with all of my teammates, holding the trophy, (celebrating) with the fans,” he said, recalling last year’s victory. That joy still drives him as another weekend showdown begins.

So, can the World No.1 deliver again? Carlos Alcaraz is fired up. “I’m excited about getting that experience again, so I will try to lift the trophy at the end and celebrate with my teammates again.” The anticipation is real, share your thoughts in the comments below!