Carlos Alcaraz has 'more punch' than Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and is ‘rewriting tennis history’ - Boris Becker
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ByEurosport
Updated 12/05/2023 at 08:06 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz is “rewriting tennis history”, Boris Becker has said on the latest Eurosport Germany Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast. Alcaraz is set to return to world No. 1 on May 22 and thus head to the French Open as the top seed. The 20-year-old holds a 29-2 record this season. Becker also praised the Spaniard’s resilience following his injury issues over the winter.
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Boris Becker has heaped praise on Carlos Alcaraz in the latest episode of the Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast, saying that the 20-year-old is "rewriting tennis history".
Alcaraz is set to return to world No. 1 on May 22. It will be his third stint at the top of the ATP standings, and means he would go to the French Open as the top seed.
He has a 29-2 record this year, and has already won 10 ATP titles - including the US Open - in his career to date, and Becker told the Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast that the Spaniard is already rewriting tennis history.
"Carlos plays tennis very differently,” said Becker.
The German continued: “What impresses me the most is his powerful style of play. When he hits his forehand with full topspin, there's no grass anymore [a German proverb that his hitting is so effective].
“Whoever dares take on a rally against him has lost anyway. We used to say that about [Rafael] Nadal and [Novak] Djokovic. But Alcaraz has even more punch and even more topspin in his shots. That's why he's rewriting tennis history.”
Becker also praised Alcaraz’s resilience, adding that his recent world-class performances had surprised him considering the injuries the US Open winner had suffered over the winter.
"I am fascinated by the fact that he is playing the way he is playing this year,” added Becker. “It's hard enough to get into the tennis scene and win your first tournaments. Now it surprised me that after a winter of injuries he continues to play tennis exactly where he left off – with absolute world-class performances.
“For me, this is a sign that he will stay there, that he is a player who can and wants to continue winning big tournaments. If he stays healthy, he's always a contender for a Grand Slam win for the next 10 years."
The last two decades have been dominated by Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, but Becker added that there are other factors that could halt an era of Alcaraz dominance.
"He would have the talent and the appetite for it,” added Becker. “But so many things can go wrong. He can get injured or lose the will once he has won everything three or four times.
“My wish is that he doesn't lose the desire and the mood for our wonderful sport and that we'll still be talking about Carlos Alcaraz in 15 years' time."
Alcaraz steps up his preparation for the French Open on Friday, when he faces Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the second round of the Italian Open in Rome.
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