Carlos Alcaraz Calls Going through Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic His ‘Satisfaction’ as He Opens Up on His Deep Admiration for the Massive 3

“What I can let you know is Alcaraz defends like Novak, has energy and spin like Nadal, and has palms and finesse like Federer,” Andre Agassi, the eight-time Grand Slam champion, stated final 12 months concerning the 21-year-old tennis phenom Carlos Alcaraz. Undoubtedly, the Spaniard deserves reward for what he has achieved at such a younger age. In late 2022, he turned the youngest World No.1 at 19 years, 4 months, and 6 days outdated. To not overlook he beat 24-time Main champion Novak Djokovic in two straight Wimbledon finals, in 2023 and 2024. Attaining such milestones and getting in comparison with the Massive 3 at simply 21 is not any imply feat, is it? However what does Alcaraz himself really feel concerning the Massive 3?

Whereas he has confronted the likes of Djoker and his idol, 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer is the one one Alcaraz by no means acquired an opportunity to play towards on the ATP Tour. Nevertheless, he did get to observe with him final season in October. It was throughout the Shanghai Masters that the Swiss Maestro joined him for a fast session. Previous to that assembly, he had expressed his want to play Alcaraz as soon as. Again in 2022, Federer retired after including 20 Slams to his credit score. However he did rue not having the chance to face off towards the rising younger expertise. After Alcaraz received his first Main that 12 months on the US Open, Federer confessed, “I’m unhappy for not having an opportunity to play Alcaraz. Liked the US Open.”

Presently, Alcaraz is making ready for his particular look in an exhibition occasion known as the Battle of Legends in Puerto Rico this Sunday. Previous to that, he engaged in an interplay with El Nuevo Dia, dated March 1. The “Spanish Magician” was requested about his expertise of taking part in towards the Massive 3 in his temporary skilled profession since turning professional in 2018. And what was his trustworthy reply? Clarifying that he didn’t actually get to play the Swiss Maestro, Alcaraz started, “Properly, I agreed a lot much less with Federer.”

However what concerning the different two? “With Rafa in his final years and with Djokovic, I’m nonetheless combating. However it’s a delight; in the long run they’re three of the perfect within the historical past of our sport. Having agreed even a bit of with some, and with others extra, for me has been unimaginable. Rafa has been my idol, and the opposite two, I really feel nice respect for what they’ve achieved, and nice admiration. So, having shared with them, for me it has been unimaginable,” Alcaraz further added.

Being compatriots, Alcaraz has all the time admired Nadal greater than anybody else. It was evident from his emotional confession final season when the King of Clay introduced his retirement.

When Carlos Alcaraz couldn’t management his emotions seeing his idol go away tennis

Rafael Nadal revealed in late 2024 that he would retire after the Davis Cup in November. In October, he shared a video message saying, “Hey everybody. I’m right here to let you realize that I’m retiring from skilled tennis.” Forward of Nadal’s final match in Malaga towards the Netherlands, when Alcaraz requested whether or not he tried to persuade the Spanish maestro to delay his retirement, the 21-year-old said, “No, probably not. I want I might have.”

Persevering with additional, he added, “The choice has already been made. I requested him if it was a tricky day when he introduced his retirement, if it was a tricky choice to make. He stated sure, however it’s a choice that has been fastidiously thought out as a result of these selections aren’t taken flippantly.”

Much like thousands and thousands of tennis followers who had been dejected by Nadal’s retirement, Alcaraz was upset too. “If somebody had informed me that I had an opportunity of convincing him to proceed, I might have achieved it”, he concluded. However he absolutely felt blessed to be on the identical facet as Nadal throughout his final look as a professional participant

The 14-time Roland Garros champion, nevertheless, didn’t find yourself on a profitable observe, as he misplaced his remaining battle towards Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. However now that he has left the racket sport, the onus is on Alcaraz to hold his legacy ahead.

Recently, the previous World No.1 hasn’t been in the perfect of types. He did attain the QF stage of the Australian Open in January, however Djokovic ended his journey in an in depth combat, profitable 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. Nevertheless, the Spaniard quickly acquired his profitable momentum on the ATP Rotterdam final month. Within the remaining, he beat Andrey Rublev to clinch his first-ever indoor hard-court title. Sadly, his type dipped once more in his subsequent occasion in Doha, the place he was ousted within the quarterfinal.

The subsequent massive ATP match for Alcaraz is the Indian Wells Masters. Will probably be intriguing to see how far he will get there. Are you backing him to win the BNP Paribas title? Tell us within the feedback under.