Carlos Alcaraz set an impressive benchmark during the first half of the 2024 season, clinching prestigious titles including the French Open and Wimbledon.
Nonetheless, the latter part of the season saw a decline for the young Spaniard, who captured only one title since mid-August.
Shocking defeats to players ranked outside the top 30, such as Gael Monfils, Botic Van De Zandschulp, and Tomas Machac, led to significant point losses, culminating in Alcaraz finishing the year ranked World No. 3.
In light of this lack of form, former ATP star Sam Querrey has made the audacious prediction that Alcaraz might tumble out of the ATP top four in 2025. Querrey didn’t shy away from sharing this bold assertion during a recent episode of the Nothing Major Podcast, where he even went as far as to wager a bet against his fellow hosts John Isner and Steve Johnson.
“It may sound a bit outlandish, but I’ve somewhat lost faith in Alcaraz. I can envision him finishing next year at around five in the world… I’m betting that Alcaraz will end the year ranked four or worse.”
He’s currently sitting at number three, which makes this statement all the more shocking. “He’s not at two, dominating the tour,” Querrey added, emphasizing his point.
This conjecture may appear ludicrous at first glance, but Querrey may have a valid argument stoking the fire of concern around Alcaraz’s need to defend a substantial amount of ranking points earned from his triumphant 2024 season. The young Spaniard faces the daunting challenge of securing at least two Grand Slams and a Masters 1000 in the coming season.
Conversely, Alcaraz’s disappointing showings during the North American swing provide a silver lining as they may help replenish his points tally. Additionally, he boasts a comfortable cushion of nearly 2,000 points over World No. 4 , affording him some leeway in the rankings.
While it appears likely that Querrey might be losing this bet, it’s not the first time he has become a social media sensation for comments related to Alcaraz and finances.
During the Netflix Slam 2024, organizers were charging a staggering $150,000 for privileged fans to have private sessions with legends like and Carlos Alcaraz. In stark contrast, players could enjoy a session with Querrey and Isner for just $2,000, a deal he humorously dubbed the “steal of the century.” Querrey’s witty response to the $150,000 offer included an entertaining list of services he would perform.
“I’ll walk your dog, show you how to fold laundry, offer psychological lessons on how not to win a major, do your taxes, make you lunch, and even guide you in creating engaging social media content. And if you’re feeling down about not winning a Slam, I’ll teach you how to play pickleball,” Querrey quipped, leaving the tennis world in stitches.
Despite his hilarious pitch, it appears Querrey didn’t attract any takers for his humorous proposition.
