Carlos Alcaraz 'a victim of his own shadow' as bar set high and losses magnified says Andy Roddick

The magnificent performance of Carlos Alcaraz against Roberto Carballes Baena at the Miami Open drew praise, including from Andy Murray and Andy Roddick. The American responded in an interview on Tennis Channel and assured that there are things that only Carlitos can do on the court.

During yesterday's match, the 3-time Grand Slam champion Murray posted on X that he was enjoying Alcaraz's match: “Watching Alcaraz play tennis makes me smile,” wrote the former world No. 1.

The also former world No. 1 Roddick also commented on Alcaraz's victory and said he agreed with Murray: “It makes me smile too,” he said. The American considered that Alcaraz has the weapons and variations to add several Grand Slam titles to the two he has already achieved.

“He's able to do things on the court that no one else can do. That turning the offense into the defense, his body is just electric. The power off the forehand side mixed with the drop shot and and the joy that he's playing with," the 2003 US Open champion said.

"He's kind of a victim of his own shadow already, where if he doesn't play great, we're like, 'Oh, what's happening with Carlos Alcaraz?'. Let's all calm down. Let's take the temperature. This guy is going to win 8 to 10 majors, minimum. He's still so young and can do everything. It's just so much fun to watch him play. Fully agree with Murray," Andy Roddick added.

Carlos Alcaraz's outstanding performance at Indian Wells seems to have put aside the criticisms of recent months. The Spaniard had inconsistent results, but at the Tennis Paradise, he showcased a remarkably high level of play that led him to defend his title, including a significant victory over Jannik Sinner in the semifinals and then over Daniil Medvedev in the final.

Following his triumph over Roberto Carballes Baena (6-2, 6-1), Carlitos is already in the third round of the Miami Open and will face the veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils for the second time in his career. Their first encounter was a victory for Alcaraz at the 2022 Indian Wells.