“He’s a lot more like Roger than Rafa,” Roger Federer’s ex-coach dismisses comparisons between Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal
After a record-breaking win at Indian Wells, Carlos Alcaraz eyes on Miami Open starting this week.
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Carlos Alcaraz, Roger and Rafael
After Carlos Alcaraz‘s victory at the Indian Wells Masters, Paul Annacone, Roger Federer’s former coach, rejected any comparisons between the young Spanish player and Rafael Nadal. Instead, Annacone believed that Alcaraz possessed unique qualities that Nadal did not have at the same age. On Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz won his eighth career title at Indian Wells, further adding to his collection of trophies.
At just under 20 years old, he becomes only the second male player in history to have won three Masters events, a feat previously achieved only by Nadal, to whom Alcaraz is frequently compared. However, according to Roger Federer‘s ex-coach, Alcaraz bears more resemblance to the Swiss tennis star, thereby discrediting any comparisons to Nadal.
After Alcaraz’s latest win at Indian Wells, Annacone said, “I think he’s a lot more like Roger than Rafa. Because Rafa couldn’t take the ball early like this when he was 19, and Rafa couldn’t come forward like this. Roger could always stay on the baseline and always look like he had time, and that’s how this kid looks.”
The American coach continued praising Alcaraz and said, “The interesting thing for me is watching someone who is this athletically talented with his running, jumping, explosiveness, and flexibility, but also has the hand-eye coordination to be able to take the ball early on the rise, come forward and volley. He also can back up and change pace. He can do everything.”
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Carlos Alcaraz eyes on defending the Miami Open title
The 2022 Miami Open will always be special for the 19-year-old, Carlos Alcaraz. It was the first Masters 1000 title of his career. A year later, he once again comes to Miami looking to defend his title. However, he now has three Masters 1000 titles and a Grand Slam title too. He looks in super form crushing an inform Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the finals of the recently concluded Indian Wells Open.
With the absence of both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, this will be his best opportunity to win the title. With his recent title win, he reclaimed the top spot in the ATP charts surpassing the Serbian. However, by winning the Miami Open, he will not only defend his title but also his top spot in the rankings.
However, he still has to face a bunch of highly skilled players that can upset any player on their day. Medvedev will be even more determined to win the title after the Spaniard ends his 19-match win streak in the finals. Overall, it will be yet another exciting tournament right after Indian Wells finished as the tennis action is now shifted to the east coast of America.
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Santhosh Tenneti
(308 Articles Published)