Carlos Alcaraz hits back at critic after Naples yacht photo sparks career-end claims

Carlos Alcaraz has brushed off criticism from an Italian influencer who claimed his party lifestyle signals the end of his career: just weeks before the Spaniard’s return to competitive tennis at the Cincinnati Open on 11 August.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion, sidelined since April with a wrist injury, spent time training in Naples ahead of his comeback. But Alessandro Rosica, an influencer with over 2 million followers, used an Instagram story to attack Alcaraz’s personal life, posting a photo of him with a mystery woman on a luxury yacht.

Rosica wrote: “Career almost over. Unfortunately his life is super crazy, he put his own in it. Almost every week, parties, parties and parties. Too bad, what a champion we lost. Unfortunately it will not return to those levels.”

What happened?

Alcaraz, 23, sustained a wrist injury during his title defense in Barcelona in April. He skipped the French Open and Wimbledon to recover, and will make his return at the Cincinnati Open on 11 August: his first competitive match since beating Otto Virtanen in Barcelona.

Before resuming training, Alcaraz took a break in Naples, posting photos of his recovery sessions near the Amalfi Coast. Rosica’s post targeted the images, framing Alcaraz’s social life as a sign of decline.

The influencer’s comments came just days after Alcaraz clinched his sixth ATP title of 2025 at Queen’s Club in June, defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final.

Why the backlash sparked a misogyny debate

Fans rushed to defend Alcaraz, calling out the double standard in Rosica’s remarks. “Career almost over” the moment a photo with a woman comes out mmmh I smell misogyny,” one user wrote on X.

Others mocked the timing of the criticism. “He clinches a title, with at least another 15 Slams on the way for him,” another fan stated.

The debate highlights how scrutiny of athletes’ personal lives often overshadows their professional achievements. Alcaraz has won 14 career titles, including two Grand Slams, and reached world No. 1 in 2022.

What comes next for Carlos Alcaraz?

Alcaraz is seeded third for the Cincinnati Open, where he will aim to regain momentum before the US Open. He won the title in Cincinnati last year, defeating Jannik Sinner in the final after Sinner retired.

His return marks a cautious comeback after wrist surgery in April. The 23-year-old has been training in Naples and Madrid, posting clips of his progress online.

If he advances in Cincinnati, Alcaraz will turn his focus to the US Open, where he’ll defend his title after beating Medvedev in the 2025 final.

Fans rally behind Alcaraz amid noise

The backlash has only fueled fan support for Alcaraz, who remains one of tennis’s brightest stars. “So now they hate Sinner, and they're starting to hate Alcaraz too. God forbid that in a couple of years they lose interest in tennis and we get rid of all this mob of ignorant as!”* another user wrote.

Others dismissed Rosica’s claims as baseless gossip. “The stupidity of that failed gossip reaches ever new unattainable heights,” one fan remarked.

With his next match just weeks away, Alcaraz appears unfazed by the noise: and ready to silence critics on court.