Andy Roddick did not look forward to finding a connection between tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz and golf iconRory McIlroy – however after a landmark weekend for each, he could not assist however draw the road.
On Sunday, McIlroy captured his long-awaited profession Grand Slam with a win on the 2025 Masters, whereas Alcaraz powered via Lorenzo Musetti to safe his first-ever Monte Carlo Masters title. Two totally different sports activities, two totally different tales – but in keeping with Roddick, there’s one thing about their journey, their fashion, and the strain they carry that ties them collectively.
Carlos Alcaraz makes a splash on clay and wins the Monte Carlo title
“Earlier than Monte Carlo, individuals have been already asking what’s fallacious with Carlos,” Roddick mentioned on the most recent episode of The Served Podcast. “That is how excessive the expectations are – identical to they have been, and nonetheless are, for Rory.”
McIlroy’s emotional win at Augusta got here after years of shut calls and near-misses. For Alcaraz, it is much less about redemption and extra about momentum – however Roddick thinks they’re each feeling the identical type of highlight.
A shared highlight, aesthetic grace, and rising strain
Each Alcaraz and McIlroy have a sure class that makes watching them really feel easy. That may be a part of the explanation the strain on them builds so shortly.
“It is like we neglect how a lot work goes into making it look that good,” Roddick mentioned. “You see Carlos slicing and sprinting and improvising mid-rally – or Rory with that swing – and it simply seems to be pure. However when Rory dropped to his knees after sinking that remaining putt? That was years of every part bottled up.”
The numbers converse volumes too. Alcaraz is now No. 1 within the ATP Race to Turin and has opened his Barcelona marketing campaign with a strong first-round win. McIlroy, now one in all solely six males in historical past to win all 4 majors, lastly shook off what Golf Digest as soon as known as “the heaviest shadow in trendy golf.”
Roddick’s commentary is not nearly admiration. It is a reminder that the street to greatness does not all the time transfer in straight traces – and that generally, probably the most lovely gamers carry the heaviest expectations.
Because the clay season unfolds for Alcaraz, and McIlroy enters the following part of his profession with renewed confidence, each will proceed drawing eyes – not simply because they win, however due to how they do it.
