Rafael Nadal is backing Carlos Alcaraz to become “one of the best in history” after the 21-year-old clinched Wimbledon after beating Novak Djokovic in the final.
Alcaraz, 21, has now four Grand Slams — two Wimbledon, one French Open and one US Open — and has been unstoppable ever since making his professional debut at the age of 16.
Nadal believes that Alcaraz is a player with huge potential who can reach new heights. The 22-time Grand Slam champion also stated that if the 21-year-old remains free of injuries, there is no doubt he become an all-time great.
“My impression is we are talking about a player that is going to be one of the best [in] history. That's my feeling,” Nadal said after partnering Casper Ruud to a first-round doubles victory at the Nordea Open in Bastad.
“[He is] 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.”
“His level of tennis is super high. If he is able to stay away from injuries, of course Sinner is there. But 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 and 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 favourite.”
Nadal then went on to explain that in his generation, he was the favourite on clay, Roger Federer was the favourite on the grass while the hard court was the domain of Djokovic.
“But no one player was the favourite before every tournament and today I feel that he has that that aura, that feeling,” Nadal said of Alcaraz. “That's a big advantage because I think he feels that [if] he's playing at his level [that it] is difficult that somebody's going to beat him.”
