Teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz has insisted that it makes no sense for him to be compared to the Big Three of tennis despite his meteoric rise in the sport this year.
Last week the 19-year-old became the youngest world No.1 in ATP history after winning his first Grand Slam title at the US Open. Alcaraz is currently enjoying his breakthrough season where he has set a series of milestones, including winning two Masters 1000 events and securing back-to-back wins over Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the same tournament. He currently has a win-loss record of 52-10 and has won at least one set in every match he has played.
Inevitably Alcaraz is being named by some pundits as the successor to the Big Three in the future. A trio featuring Nadal, Djokovic and Roger Federer who have won 63 Grand Slam titles between them. Some have even gone as far as comparing the Spaniard’s rise in tennis to that of the Big Three. Although Alcaraz argues that this should not be the case.
“It’s not a pressure, I enjoy playing tennis and when I do it is when the results come. Many times I smile in tense moments in matches. Being on the court makes me enjoy myself,” Alcaraz told reporters during a trip to BMW Madrid on Monday.
“I don’t know why I’m getting compared to the Big Three. They have been there (on the Tour) for 20 years, they have won everything and I am starting. It does not make sense, I want to continue my way.’
“Comparing myself with the Big Three is that I have to improve day by day. They have been getting better day by day. That’s what I’m looking for.”
Shortly after his US Open triumph, Alcaraz returned to competitive tennis at the Davis Cup where he experienced mixed results. He lost to Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in what was his first match played as world No.1. A couple of days later he returned to winning ways by defeating Kwon Soon-woo to seal Spain’s place in November’s finals.
Concerning his rapid rise in the sport, the youngster expects his peers to be more motivated than ever to beat him on the Tour.
“I notice more confidence in myself, more sure in my shots,” Alcaraz replied when asked when has changed with him becoming world No.1. “My rivals, before they saw me as the young man who shot up and they felt the pressure of not wanting to lose and they played a little worse. Now they see me as a player who is there (at the top). They come in to play without pressure. I am No.1 and it motivates them because they have nothing to lose”.
Unlike many top names in the men’s game, Alcaraz will not be featuring in the upcoming Laver Cup to rest after what has been a frantic past few weeks on the Tour. The three-day event marks the end of an era with Federer confirming he will be playing the final match of his record-breaking career before retiring.
“He’s pure talent, class and elegant. He’s lasted so long because of how he plays,” Alcaraz said of the Swiss maestro.
“He hasn’t retired in any match and I’ve already retired in one. It’s a gift they’ve brought us all sports fans, not just tennis. I’m proud to have watched him throughout my childhood. I wish I could last as long as he has and earn a quarter of what he has earned. I can only thank him for what he has given to tennis. I’ve always wanted to face him, it won’t be possible, but it’s better than leaving with a defeat.”
Alcaraz is set to play his next tournament at the Astana Open which will take place during the first week of October. He is then scheduled to play events in Basel, Paris, the ATP Finals and Davis Cup Finals.
