Carlos Alcaraz looks set to become “one of the best in history”.
That is the prediction of Rafa Nadal, who is to play doubles with the 21-year-old phenomenon for Spain in the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The winner of 22 majors believes it is Alcaraz’s versatility and “aura” which puts him ahead of the field on all surfaces.
Alcaraz retained his Wimbledon title with a victory over seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, a repeat of their 2023 decider, shortly after lifting the French Open. It ensured the 2022 US Open champion had won his first four Grand Slam finals, younger than when the Big Three of Nadal, Roger Federer and Djokovic achieved the same feat.
Nadal, 38, who had won three Slams at 21, said: “My impression is we are talking about a player that is going to be one of the best in history. That’s my feeling, I don’t see a lot of players who can stop him on the Tour.
“His level of tennis is super high. If he is able to stay away from injuries. Of course (Jannik) Sinner is there. I see him with Sinner over the rest today without a doubt.
“I don’t see a lot of players that can stop him on Tour.
“He’s a player with huge potential. Life can change quick, that’s the truth. You never know what can happen in the future. But today if we have to predict what’s going on in his career, we predict amazing things.”
The 14-time French Open champion, in reference to the Big Three’s generation, pointed out he was usually favorite to win on clay, Federer on grass and either Novak Djokovic or Federer on hard.
Alcaraz, of course, has already won the top prizes on all three.
Nadal said: ” I think the best thing that he has today is in every tournament that he plays, doesn’t matter the surface, he is going to be the favorite.
“No one player was the favorite before every tournament and today I feel that he has that aura, that feeling. That’s a big advantage because I think he feels that playing at his level it is difficult that somebody’s going to beat him.”
