“No one player was favorite,” Rafael Nadal explains what makes Carlos Alcaraz even better than the Big Three

Nadal has backed Alcaraz to become the best player in tennis history.

“No one player was favorite,” Rafael Nadal explains what makes Carlos Alcaraz even better than the Big Three

Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal (Images via Imago)

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has reserved special praise for compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, who has taken the tennis world by storm with his consistent performances. The 21-year-old has won four Grand Slam tournaments already, the latest of which came at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships.

Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the final to successfully defend his title. Despite starting the grass swing with an early exit at the Queen’s Club Championships, he found form to dominate his way to a second title at the All-England Club.

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His excellence on the grass courts has brought praise from many corners, with Nadal being one of them. The 22-time Grand Slam champion said that Alcaraz possesses the unique quality of starting every tournament as the outright favorite, something that none of the Big 3 ever had.

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Whatever the tournament and the surface, he will be the favorite. I was the favorite on clay, on grass it was Roger. On hard, it was between Roger and Novak then me. But no one player was the favourite before every tournament and today I feel that he has that that aura, that feeling.
Rafael Nadal said (H/T: ATP Tour)

The two Spaniards are set to join forces at the Paris Olympics and have already been named one of the favorites to win the men’s doubles gold medal.

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Rafael Nadal expects Carlos Alcaraz to be one of the best in history

Rafael Nadal also spoke about the career trajectory of Carlos Alcaraz and where he was headed. He opined that if the youngster managed to stay relatively injury-free, he would be one of the best players in the history of the sport.

Carlos Alcaraz Wimbledon
Carlos Alcaraz Wimbledon (via Imago)

Nadal said Alcaraz’s level of tennis was “super high” and claimed that he was clear of everyone else on the men’s tour except Jannik Sinner. The 14-time French Open champion believes Alcaraz and Sinner will rule the ATP tour in the coming years. 

My impression is we are talking about a player that is going to be one of the best [in] history. That's my feeling. [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.
Rafael Nadal told ATP

Alcaraz is already well ahead of others from his generation. He has won 15 tour-level titles already, including four Grand Slam titles and five Masters 1000 titles. Jannik Sinner, his biggest rival, has 14 ATP titles, of which only one has come at a Major and two at Masters 1000 events.

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