'No Plan B' criticism of Carlos Alcaraz from Andrea Petkovic draws rebuttal from tennis insider

Jose Morgado, a noted journalist from Portugal, rebuked former player Andrea Petkovic's claim that Carlos Alcaraz does not have a "Plan B" when confronted with tricky situations in his matches. Despite winning two Grand Slams this season, the 4-time Grand Slam champion suffered early exits at multiple tournaments, including a straight sets loss to Dutch journeyman Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round of the US Open.

Petkovic claimed during a recent episode The Rennae Stubbs Podcast:

"When Carlos is bad, he is f***ing horrendous. He doesn’t have a plan B – because you are still Carlos Alcaraz, who has won four Slams. But he then can’t make a ball anymore, he’s double-faulting, he’s missing, he doesn’t even get into a rally."

The German former WTA World No. 9 claimed that other top players - Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, and Taylor Fritz - do not have the same "issue." Petkovic added that Alcaraz is probably the best player when he is at his best, citing his 3-0 head-to-head this year against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. However, she questioned the Spaniard's consistency, adding:

"At his low level, he can still lose to Jakub Mensik, and Jannik Sinner would not lose to Jakub Mensik probably.”

19-year-old Mensik had a breakout year in 2024, breaking into the Top 50 for the first time. The Czech, however, is yet to face either Alcaraz or Sinner.

Jose Morgado disagreed with the above claims from Petkovic and suggested that Alcaraz has too many plans, which prove to be his undoing at times.

"He (Alcaraz) actually has a plan B, C, D and E," the insider weighed in on X. "And most of the times that's the real problem."

Alcaraz remarked in an interview that 2024 was "still positive for him" despite being a year of ups and downs.

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Carlos Alcaraz has set a big goal for his 2025 season

Carlos Alcaraz has commenced his pre-season training (Source: Getty)

Carlos Alcaraz had a stellar season in 2024, capturing two Majors: the French Open, defeating Alexander Zverev in the final, and Wimbledon with a straight sets drubbing of Novak Djokovic in the decider.

However, after a heartbreaking loss to Djokovic in the final of the Paris Olympics, the Spaniard was unable to replicate his form, suffering several early exits in the hardcourt swing. His last trophy hoist of the season came at the China Open, where he edged No. 1 Jannik Sinner 6–7 (6–8), 6–4, 7–6 (7–3) in a tense decider.

Alcaraz's season ended at the ATP World Tour Finals, where he exited in the round-robin stage.

In 2025, he has targeted completing the "Career Grand Slam," winning all 4 Majors. At present, the Australian Open is the only Major title missing from his trophy cabinet.

“I am a very ambitious person and I want to win the Australian Open to complete the Career Grand Slam," Carlos Alcaraz said (per Tennis365).

With a victory Down Under, 21-year-old Alcaraz would become the youngest man to complete the Career Slam, eclipsing the previous record held by his compatriot Rafael Nadal.