It goes without saying that Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz is the player everybody in the tennis world has their eyes on currently.
The 19-year-old has stunned the Tour in recent months by surging up the rankings and achieving a series of impressive milestones. Including becoming the youngest player in history to win an ATP 500 title and the Miami Masters. He started the season ranked 32nd in the world and has rocketed up to a ranking high of sixth. Becoming the youngest player to break the ATP top 10 since Rafael Nadal did so back in 2005.
Alcaraz’s latest triumph was at the Madrid Open where he scored consecutive wins over Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev en route to the title. The trio of wins makes him the first person to defeat three top four players in the same Masters event since David Nalbandian did so in Madrid back in 2007. He is also the first player to defeat Nadal and Djokovic at the same clay court tournament.
The surge in success has resulted in high praise with many tipping the youngester to be the next star of the sport, including Madrid runner-up Zverev.
“Right now you are the best player in the world,” Zverev said to Alcaraz during the trophy ceremony. “It is great for tennis that we have such a new superstar that is going to win so many Grand Slams, that is going to be World No. 1 and I think is going to win this tournament many more times.”
Alcaraz is now on a 10-match winning streak after also previously claiming the Barcelona Open crown. However, the clear-thinking rising star is refusing to get ahead of himself as he downplays being regarded as the best player in the world. Even though as of May 9th 2022 he has won more ATP Tour matches (28) than anybody else this season.
“I consider myself a player that’s playing very well. You know, as the numbers speak by themselves, I think that I’m doing it quite well on clay right now,” he told reporters in Madrid on Sunday evening.
“You learn a lot from defeats. I think this is a clear example. I lost in the first round of Monte-Carlo, and I learned from that defeat and I started to train for Barcelona and Madrid. I consider that I am playing very, very well, and I think that I am a tough opponent for the other players.”
“Djokovic is No. 1 in the ranking. Because I have won Barcelona, and I have beaten Djokovic and Rafa in Madrid, I don’t consider myself the best player in the world.” He added.
Inevitably Alcaraz will face continuous comparisons to the Big Three in the coming months, particularly concerning his idol Nadal. He is coached by former world No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero who won the 2003 French Open. His career win-loss record on the Tour currently stands at 61-21.
“I think that I have to improve everything still. I have always said that you can improve everything. You never reach a limit. Look at Rafa, Djokovic, Federer, all of them improve and they have things to improve. That’s why they are so good, and that’s why they are so much time up there, because they don’t stop. They keep on working and improving,” Alcaraz explained.
“That’s what I want to do. I want to keep on progressing. I have really good shots. I don’t say that I don’t have them, but I know that I can improve them and they can be even better.”
Only time will tell how good the Spaniard can become but many former greats of the game have already been impressed by him. Andy Roddick has gone as far as naming him as a ‘co-favourite’ to win the upcoming French Open. Meanwhile, Martina Navratilova said he has the ability ‘to become the next Djokovic but with more power’ during an interview with Spanish outlet Heraldo.
Leading up to the Grand Slam Alcaraz has opted to skip this week’s Italian Open in order to rest his body. In Madrid he received minor treatment for a swollen ankle after jarring it on the court. He has also had an infected blister on his foot.
Alcaraz has won seven consecutive matches against top 10 players since the Miami Open.
