Albert Molina, who first spotted the Murcian prodigy at just 12, was left seething with tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz and chastised him for what he viewed as a lack of respect. Since that early discovery, Alcaraz has risen to tennis stardom—securing the 2022 US Open, becoming the youngest world No. 1 at 19, and adding three more major titles to his résumé. Now 21, he was compelled to withdraw from the Madrid Open—an event he’d twice won—last week due to muscle injuries. Despite his undeniable talent, Alcaraz’s dedication and professionalism have at times strained his relationships with coaches and his agent.
One instance featured in his new Netflix docuseries Carlos Alcaraz: My Way shows Molina chastising the young star for showing up late to an engagement. “Sometimes being a bit late is fine… but it’s frustrating, so today—mate—be on time,” he tells Alcaraz in the car on their way there. Speaking directly to the camera afterward, Molina explains, “I was really angry that day—not because of the lateness itself, but because it felt like a sign of disrespect toward others, and that’s something I won’t tolerate with Carlos.”
He told Alcaraz, “Even if you’re world No. 1, you can’t make people wait for you, Carlos.” After teasing about what his agent would say if he ever showed up early, Alcaraz laughed and admitted to Molina, “I know I’m not in any position to argue. I need to keep my head down and take the consequences—and I’m fully aware of that.”
The Netflix series also highlights Alcaraz’s struggles with stress and exhaustion on the court, showing that he must step away from tennis regularly or risk feeling “suffocated.” It reveals that he can’t play his best unless he’s mentally at ease—a factor that sometimes leads to clashes with his coaching team.
Ferrero insists Alcaraz must effectively become a “slave” to tennis if he’s ever to realize his ambition of being “the greatest player of all time.” In perhaps the harshest critique of the series, he questions whether Alcaraz has the necessary devotion. “His approach to work and sacrifice is so different,” Ferrero observes, contrasting him with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. “That gap makes me wonder if he can truly go down as the best in history.”
