Roland Garros’ main draw is just around the corner, and the reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz is hot again. When the Spaniard faced the World No. 1 in the Italian Open final, all eyes were on Jannik Sinner, who was returning from a three-month doping ban. A victory would’ve made him the first Italian man to lift the trophy in nearly five decades. But Alcaraz, the 2025 Australian Open champ’s longtime rival, had other plans.

Well, Alcaraz beating Sinner is not new, but this win has come at a point when the two may again meet in the next two weeks for another clay court battle. After snapping Sinner’s 26-match winning streak, the 22-year-old has not lost his sight from Roland Garros. And with his huge win, Alcaraz already seemed to have issued a warning for the World No. 1.

“All eyes are on Paris right now, on Roland Garros,” said Alcaraz. “I always say, ‘The final is not about playing, the final is about winning’. I just repeat [that] approach every time I play a final.” Now, even though men’s tennis has become a two-horse race, neither Alcaraz nor Sinner will be sleeping on veteran Novak Djokovic, who has still been carrying the legacy of the Big 4. But just when Djokovic needed that extra push, his former coach Boris Becker seems to be rooting for the Spaniard days ahead of the French Open.

On May 18, 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!