Serena Williams' ex-coach shares prediction about Carlos Alcaraz's Grand Slam career; calls him a "generational talent"

Serena Williams' former coach Rick Macci this week hailed Carlos Alcaraz as a "generational talent" and predicted a remarkable Grand Slam tally for the young Spaniard. While acknowledging that Alcaraz may face challenges along the way, Macci was confident that these obstacles would only be temporary.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Macci, who was Serena Williams' childhood coach, called Carlos Alcaraz "so special" and wrote,

"Alcaraz is the youngest ever to do what he has done. This guy so special in ways that the tennis world has never seen. He is a Generational Talent. There will be speed bumps. But at the end of that road double digit grand slams for the Spanish Magician. @carlosalcaraz"

Alcaraz has set numerous records as the youngest player to achieve some of the most remarkable milestones in tennis history. At just 21 years old, he became the youngest male player to complete a "Career Surface Slam," winning Grand Slam titles on clay, grass, and hard court, with the last coming at the US Open.

Earlier this year, the Spaniard became the youngest player in the Open Era to win the Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles in the same season. He also made history at the Olympics, becoming the youngest men's singles silver medalist.

In 2022, he achieved another unprecedented feat by finishing the year as the youngest-ever ATP year-end World No. 1.

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"Sometimes Carlos Alcaraz just doesn’t lock it down" - Serena Williams' ex-coach Rennae Stubbs critiques Spaniard's focus and shot selection at ATP Finals

Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals 2024 (Image: Getty)

Following Carlos Alcaraz's Paris Olympics heartbreak, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the gold medal match, the Spaniard experienced a dip in form. While he won the China Open, he suffered multiple early exits at tournaments.

At the ATP Finals, Alcaraz traveled to Turin with an illness and faced a tough time against Casper Ruud in his first round-robin match. The 21-year-old lost the match 6-1, 5-7.

Serena Williams' ex-coach Rennae Stubbs was unhappy with the Spaniard's shot selection. She took to Threads and wrote,

"Sometimes Carlos just doesn’t lock it down. He still has a tendency to go for a mental wander. Shots selections are questionable. 🤨 Don’t worry though y’all he’s still incredible and will win many many majors but on these faster courts not getting free points on serve also hurts him. Anyway, well done the oatmeal stallion."

Alcaraz was ousted from the Finals in the round-robin stage after losses against Ruud and Alexander Zverev. The Spaniard finished the season as World No. 3.