“An apples-to-apples comparison” Andy Roddick believes Carlos Alcaraz is the successor to Roger Federer and Andre Agassi

“An apples-to-apples comparison” Andy Roddick believes Carlos Alcaraz is the successor to Roger Federer and Andre Agassi

Carlos Alcaraz, Andy Roddick

Carlos Alcaraz has done the unthinkable by winning the 2022 Miami Open as he defeated Casper Ruud in the finals to place his name in history. The 18-year-old became the third youngest player behind Michael Chang and Rafael Nadal to bag an ATP 1000 Masters title. The Spaniard also broke Novak Djokovic’s record of being the youngest champion in Miami in the Men’s singles category.

Amid all the appreciation and praises the Spaniard is often compared with the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and other great tennis players. This is something that has irked former World No. 1 and US Open winner Andy Roddick as he highlighted how people should allow him to create his own identity rather than comparing him with greats. He also adds how this is unfair for the youngster.

“I can’t mention anything about Alcaraz on Twitter without someone automatically saying, ‘Well, Rafa did this’ and ‘You know, Rafa did that’,” Roddick opined on Tennis Channel.

“We have to let this guy be his own person. And he seems comfortable in his own skin. He seems comfortable with the way he plays. I just don’t think it’s going to faze him,” he shared after watching Alcaraz be very calm even under pressure.

Alcaraz has already achieved great things in such a short span of his career and therefore comparisons are made by fans on social media. The fact that none of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andre Agassi won this title at this age speaks volumes about the teenager. In fact, Nadal surprisingly has never won the Miami Open. So When quizzed whether he has seen something like this before, Roddick was quick to highlight how sometimes the comparisons should be like ‘apples to apples’ rather than anything else.

“Yes, his name is Rafa. His name was Roger. His name was Andre [Agassi] at a certain time. The company he is keeping with these comparisons elicit that sort of name to make an apples-to-apples comparison,” Roddick concluded.

Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest player to win Miami Open

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz created history on Sunday as he became the youngest player ever to win the Miami Open. He defeated Casper Ruud in a pretty close encounter which the Spaniard won in straight sets. The 18-year-old came down from a 4-1 deficit to win the first set 7-5. He then went on to bag the second set 6-4 to etch his name in history.

“I have no words to describe how I feel right now,” Alcaraz said after the one hour, 52-minute match as per ATP Tour’s website. “It’s so special to win my first Masters 1000 here in Miami. I have an unbelievable team with me and family… I’m so happy with the win and my team.”

Also Read: “Spain cannot have a better heir than you” Carlos Alcaraz gets the praise of the highest order from Paula Badosa