Carlos Alcaraz is the best in the world – and he is only going to get better

E arly in the second set of Carlos Alcaraz’s third-round victory at the Miami Open, Dusan Lajovic, a Serbian veteran, was suffocating under the world No 1’s relentless pressure. Lajovic threw down everything he had, directing a forehand approach shot down the line and then connecting with a backhand overhead to the other line. In three rapid steps, Alcaraz flitted from the left side of the court to the right and cracked an angled forehand passing shot past Lajovic at the net. Then he smiled.

Alcaraz is the most dynamic, creative player in men’s tennis right now, a walking highlight reel, and seemingly every single match he plays brings similar exhibitions of skill and athleticism. His speed makes it so difficult to put the ball past him, and he pairs his defence with unwavering aggression off both wings and hand skills that allow him to unload from any position on the court.

Those strengths alone would mark Alcaraz as a top player but his game is also startlingly complete. He adores finishing points with delicate forehand drop shots, making it impossible for opponents to read him. He is constantly looking for an opportunity to move forward to the net. Alcaraz’s countless strengths are threaded together by his innate intelligence and an understanding of how best to use his strengths.

At such a young age – still just 19 years old – Alcaraz is enjoying a level of success that only Rafael Nadal can relate to on the men’s tour. At the start of this season, though, his rapid upward trajectory was briefly halted by the first crisis of his career.

A few weeks after winning the US Open last year and becoming the first teenage world No 1 in the history of men’s tennis, Alcaraz was forced to withdraw from the ATP Finals with an