What stands out most about Carlos Alcaraz, beyond his divine talent and superhuman shot-making, is that ever-present smile: a constant companion whether he wins a point or loses one. Always gracious, always glowing, the Spaniard radiates joy even in battle. “Having a smile on my face is the key to everything I do. I smile a lot when I play and that reflects on my game,” he even told Le Figaro. Yet ironically, that same smile once worked against him, as WTA star Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova confessed she didn’t like Alcaraz when they first met, all because of that relentless, unforgettable grin.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who closed her season after the US Open and currently sits at world No. 47, recently offered a candid reflection on her first encounter with Carlos Alcaraz. The Russian star admitted that her initial impression of the young Spaniard was far from flattering. What many perceive as Alcaraz’s charm and positivity once struck her as something less genuine. Yet, time and experience have reshaped her view entirely.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Box podcast, Pavlyuchenkova opened up about that turning point. “After that I really took a liking to Alcaraz,” she confessed. “Because somehow, well I don’t really know, I didn’t really like his manner, because it seemed to me that he had a bit of a pretence, he smiles all the time.”

She elaborated further, laughing at her own skepticism. “I think, ‘How is that possible?’” she said, comparing his sunny demeanor to her own fiery disposition. “Well, I compare myself, I have just drama there all the time when I play. I think, ‘How is it possible?’, he smiles at his team all the time—it’s too much.” Over time, though, her perspective evolved, and what once seemed excessive now appears admirable. Pavlyuchenkova ultimately acknowledged that her opinion of the world No. 2 has shifted for the better.

Interestingly, that “too much” smile has also charmed Alcaraz’s peers on the ATP Tour. Stefanos Tsitsipas, for one, has openly praised the Spaniard’s radiant presence. After a practice session with Alcaraz in 2023, Tsitsipas said, “I owe a lot to Carlitos, because he’s such a breath of fresh air. The fact that just he’s so competitive and he’s always with a smile on his face, and almost so much charisma to him and so much positive energy that he distributes. I think that’s contributed a lot to his growth as a tennis player and his consistency too.”

Alcaraz himself has never shied away from acknowledging the power of his smile. “I’m winning all the time because I am smiling,” he once said with his trademark grin, later adding, “And I always said that smiling for me is the key of everything, you know.” His attitude, disarming and infectious, has become a defining part of his identity, a weapon as sharp as his forehand.

Even in defeat, Alcaraz radiates the same unflinching positivity. After his heartbreaking Wimbledon final loss to Jannik Sinner this year, he stood on Center Court still smiling, applauding his rival, and soaking in the moment with grace and humility. It’s a trait few can master, but one that’s fast becoming his signature.

Though his latest Paris Masters campaign ended with a surprising second-round defeat to Britain’s Cameron Norrie, Alcaraz’s aura remains untarnished. Yet, despite the Spaniard’s trademark composure on court, his early-round struggles at the Paris Masters have stirred bold judgments and sharp verdicts from voices beyond the tennis world.

Journalist delivers brutal take on Carlos Alcaraz’s Paris exit

French tennis journalist Benoit Maylin didn’t hold back on the latest episode of Sans Filet. With piercing honesty, he dissected Carlos Alcaraz’s demeanor in Paris, stripping away the polish to reveal a side fans rarely see. “I didn’t like Alcaraz’s attitude. I didn’t like that body language where he gets angry, he tells himself he won’t make it… Now, he has to prove that he can manage to win even when playing poorly,” Maylin declared, his words cutting through the noise like a clean forehand winner.

He went further, drawing comparisons to the giants who came before. “Nadal, Federer, or Djokovic didn’t always play sublime tennis, but they managed to win because they fought with the humility of a battle. Rafael Nadal would never have had such an attitude on the court. Be careful not to get a little big-headed,” he warned.

The criticism stemmed from a night in Paris that felt strangely out of rhythm. From the opening rallies under the bright glare of La Défense Arena, something in Alcaraz’s energy seemed misaligned. The Spaniard, known for his electric presence, looked muted, as though wrestling his own reflection.

His forehand, normally a weapon of destruction, faltered again and again. Though he managed to edge Cameron Norrie 6-4 in a tense 52-minute first set, the usual fire was missing. He was leading, yes, but the dominance that defines him was nowhere to be found.

Across the net, Norrie smelled opportunity. Having beaten Alcaraz twice before, he dug in deep, countering power with precision. As the second set began, the tide turned sharply. Alcaraz’s game spiraled into chaos, 19 unforced errors, a cascade of missed chances, and growing frustration.

By the start of the third, the mask slipped. Turning to his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz vented: “I don’t feel anything. Zero! It’s worse than Monte-Carlo. The only thing saving me is my serve. I’m doing everything wrong.” Ferrero, calm and steady, replied, “Everything? Look at what you’re doing well, correct the rest.” But the fire had dimmed.

Now, as Alcaraz regroups for the ATP Finals, the script flips once more. A looming showdown with Jannik Sinner awaits, two young titans chasing not just a title, but the right to end the season as the sport’s true No. 1.