Carlos Alcaraz’s recent triumph cemented his status as one of brightest stars – and possibly even all-time greats. But it was his conduct off the court that truly won hearts. The 22-year-old Spaniard displayed remarkable professionalism throughout the tournament – which he clinched via over Jannik Sinner in the final – notably when line judges made incorrect calls, showcasing a sportsmanship that echoes the gentlemanly legacies of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Yet, Alcaraz’s fierce competitiveness on the court reveals a duality that sets him apart in the modern game. Off the court, the youngster is a breath of fresh air. His warm smile, humility, and genuine kindness have drawn comparisons to Federer and Nadal, who redefined what it meant to be an elite tennis player with their grace and modesty under pressure, no matter the stakes. In an era where fiery personalities like and once dominated, Alcaraz represents a new breed of champion: relentless in competition but respectful and approachable outside the lines – drawing praise from the likes of former French Open winner Michael Chang.
“The generation that we followed was very competitive, [players] didn’t really talk to each other,” Chang, 53, told . “Alcaraz and Sinner have a very healthy respect for one another. Different than in years past, like a McEnroe-Connors or a McEnroe-[Ivan] Lendl. There was no friendship there.”
The American pointed to Federer and Nadal as pioneers of this trend, blending ferocious on-court intensity with off-court civility. “Federer and Nadal changed the culture in the locker room, to be honest,” he said. “On court, it’s business: you want to play your best and beat your opponent, but off court they were kind to everyone, whether you were world No. 2 or No. 100 in doubles.
“Roger, Rafa, and even Novak [Djokovic] are responsible for that transformation. They treated everyone the same and were kind. I think that respect has carried over to the current generation because they respect everyone.”
Sinner – who, like Alcaraz, is expected to dominate for the next decade – fits neatly into this mould as well. The Italian shares Alcaraz’s knack for balancing competitiveness with respect, as evidenced by the he gave after his crushing defeat in the Roland Garros final.
Despite being on top for a large portion of the contest – and blowing three consectuve Championship points in the fourth set – the 23-year-old claimed Alcaraz “deserved” to win and insisted he was “so happy” for his opponent. He then took time to thank the ball boys, line judges and chair umpires for their efforts during the tournament, adding that the players “couldn’t do it without” them.
Sinner headed into the event under a cloud of controversy, having served what many considered an unusually short suspension following in 2024. However, he quickly silenced critics with his relentless performances on the court and his humility off it – ultimately earning back the respect of both his peers and tennis fans around the world.
Similarly, Alcaraz left fans in awe with his breathtaking shots, explosive athleticism, and relentless intensity. Yet it was his grounded humbleness that truly won over hearts and minds. Time and again during the tournament, he showed remarkable sportsmanship – freely – including during the final – without protest whenever a ball mark revealed an error by the line judge.