“We are really lucky to have a player like him on the ATP tour,” Boris Becker once said about the four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, “Carlos is a diamond, his presence is good for tennis and he can do anything on the court.” Since winning his first slam at the 2022 US Open at just 19, the Spaniard has made history. His victories snowballed, despite some bumps with inconsistency and injury. But when it comes to his rival Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz knows exactly what to do. Becker couldn’t be prouder of him.

On May 18, Alcaraz ended world number one Jannik Sinner’s impressive 26-match winning streak by clinching the Italian Open title with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 win. Sinner, returning from a three-month doping ban, aimed to be the first Italian man to win the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976. But after a nail-biting tiebreak, Carlos showed he was in a league of his own in the second set.

Sinner had two set points in the first set but missed a backhand return wide, letting reigning French Open champ Alcaraz off the hook. The 22-year-old Spaniard then seized the moment with brilliant shot-making, finishing the match with a slick cross-court volley at the net. To celebrate, six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker, who coached Novak Djokovic to six grand slams back in 2013-2016, reposted him on his Instagram story, writing, “Well done Carlos!”

That praise meant a lot coming from the German legend who has backed Alcaraz more than once. The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster for Carlos- he won his first indoor hardcourt title at the ABN AMRO Open and triumphed at the Monte-Carlo Masters. But it hasn’t been smooth; he lost to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinal and struggled in Qatar and Miami. On top of that, leg injuries forced him to pull out of the Madrid Open.

But instead of criticizing him, Becker gave him wise advice on balancing life. Beyond that, he has urged fans and critics to cut the 21-year-old some slack as he navigates the ups and downs of his young career.

Boris Becker’s advice to critics of the Spaniard

At the 2025 Laureus Awards, tennis legend Boris Becker warned Carlos Alcaraz about the dangers of burnout. Becker shared, “We’re talking about a 21-year-old who couldn’t cope with the expectations and the pressure anymore. We’re talking about mental health. Someone like that almost reached the point of depression. So those around him have to ask themselves-haven’t we done something wrong? Demanding too much of such a young player? He almost has to act like a machine… at 21 it’s hard to say no. We have to protect Carlos from himself. [I told him] This isn’t a sprint, your life is a marathon.” Becker’s words come from his own experience as a young pro, urging the tennis world to be mindful of Alcaraz’s well-being.

Before Rome, Carlos withdrew from the Madrid Open due to an adductor injury he picked up during the Barcelona Open final. “In the Barcelona final I felt something in the left hamstring, I didn’t think that it was that serious,” Alcaraz said. “I’m really disappointed that I’m not able to play here in Madrid. It is a place that I love playing in front of my people, in front of my family, my friends.” He admitted the decision to pull out was tough but necessary to heal and come back stronger for upcoming tournaments like Rome and Roland Garros.

But regarding the pressure he was facing, even Nole weighed in, defending Alcaraz amid intense scrutiny. “He’s 21 years old, he’s won four Grand Slams and numerous tournaments. What more do you want?” Djokovic said. He praised Alcaraz’s incredible achievements despite the sky-high expectations following legends like Rafael Nadal.

With the French Open just around the corner, Alcaraz is not only the defending champion but also a two-time Masters winner this season, including a recent win at Rome. His remarkable 30–5 record this year and dominance on clay make him the man to beat at Roland Garros. The big question now: will Alcaraz rise above the pressure and deliver yet another spectacular victory? Share your thoughts in the comments below!