Naomi Osaka’s coach picks the one attribute where Carlos Alcaraz outperforms ‘peak’ Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz has enjoyed a strong start to his 2025 campaign, picking up his first title of the year last month.

The Spanish world number three traveled to Melbourne in January, looking to complete the Career Grand Slam with a win at the Australian Open.

It wasn’t to be, however, as Alcaraz lost to Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 4-6, as his struggles down under continued.

He bounced back immediately by winning his first indoor hard court tournament in the Netherlands, as Alcaraz took down Alex de Minaur in three sets to clinch the Rotterdam Open title.

A tough defeat in Doha followed as Alcaraz was beaten by Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6.

The 21-year-old will now turn his attention to the ‘Sunshine Double’ Masters 1000 tournaments in the United States, as Alcaraz looks to defend his title at Indian Wells.

Ahead of the tournament, one top WTA coach has shared his thoughts on the Spaniard, comparing him to some of the sport’s greatest-ever players.

Patrick Mouratoglou says Carlos Alcaraz is ‘more fiery’ than ‘peak’ Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

Speaking on Instagram at the most recent Ultimate Tennis Showdown event in Guadalajara, Mexico, Naomi Osaka’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou gave his honest opinion on Alcaraz.

“The new generation is great, it was a different type of tennis with two players [Rafael] Nadal and Novak Djokovic] that are crazy consistent, that are building the points a lot,” he said.

“If you look at [Carlos] Alcaraz for example, he’s more a puncher, but I think it’s very interesting too because yes, he can do so many different things and he does everything so well.

“He drop shots, he comes to the net, unbelievable power, unbelievable touch, he can return volley and he does all this in a match, that’s crazy.

“So that’s very interesting, it’s never boring, something happens all the time.”

Mouratoglou then admitted that Alcaraz trails Nadal and Djokovic in one area, although he thinks he may lead them in another.

“Of course, he’s not as consistent as Rafa and Novak at their peak or [Jannik] Sinner now, who’s incredibly consistent, but he’s more fiery,” he said.

Osaka’s coach may be right as many have questioned Alcaraz’s consistency recently, after several surprise defeats on the ATP Tour.

Alcaraz lost to Botic van de Zandschulp at the US Open last year, his lowest-ranked defeat since the beginning of 2024.

Carlos Alcaraz prepares for tough Indian Wells title defense

Alcaraz will make the trip to California, hoping to defend the 1,000 ATP ranking points he earned from winning Indian Wells in 2024.

Just as he did in 2023, Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev in the final, as he secured his fifth Masters 1000 title.

He’ll enter the 2025 tournament as the number two seed, but will likely be the favorite to win a third-consecutive crown ahead of Alexander Zverev.

2025 Indian Wells top eight seeds

• [1] – Alexander Zverev
• [2] – Carlos Alcaraz
• [3] – Taylor Fritz
• [4] – Casper Ruud
• [5] – Daniil Medvedev
• [6] – Novak Djokovic
• [7] – Andrey Rublev
• [8] – Stefanos Tsitsipas

Just four active players have previously won the title in California, as one of the Spaniard’s greatest rivals enjoyed real success at the event during the 2010s.

Djokovic won Indian Wells for a fifth time in 2016, as he took down Canada’s Milos Raonic in the final, 6-2, 6-0.

The Serbian star will no doubt look to dethrone Alcaraz and secure his sixth title when Indian Wells begins on March, 3.