Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were great examples for Carlos Alcaraz. This was confirmed by the Spanish athlete himself in a recent press conference in Argentina, a few days before his official debut at the ATP 250 in Buenos Aires.
The Iberian spoke to the media about the greatness of the big three, who have undoubtedly made tennis history in the last twenty years: “I always say that the best in the world have never stood still. They have gotten better with time, just like Roger, Rafa and Nole, who were great when they were young but have gotten even better with time.
Personally I think that I can improve everything on a tennis, physical and mental level. Little by little with my team I will take those small leaps to always try to be the best on the circuit”, stressed the 19-year-old player.
The now former world number one underlined how important ambition is in tennis: “Always go forward, never be afraid, it was essential to achieve what I have achieved. You should not be afraid of who is ahead of you on the net.
There were some players for whom he had some respect, especially when he played against Rafa or Djokovic, but not a lot. I always took it very naturally, I always wanted to beat them and that ambition is what has made me who I am now,” he added.
Alcaraz then confessed a beautiful revelation: “In Spain Rafael Nadal is an idol for practically everyone who follows tennis and also the sport. Since I was a child, when I liked tennis and played it, I was inspired by it.”
Alcaraz was last seen in action at the 2022 Paris Masters
Roger Federer is the Lionel Messi of the tennis world, reckons World No.
2 Carlos Alcaraz. “Yes, Federer is the Messi of tennis because of how easy he [looks playing]. Messi was the superhero in the World Cup and practically put himself in the entire country so that Argentina would consecrate itself in Qatar,” Carlos Alcaraz said.
“I loved [Federer’s] tennis. I loved watching him play. I was watching his highlights all day, watching matches.” Not to be dismayed, however, the teenager is now looking forward to adapting to life on tour as the World No. 2. “I was not thinking of holding number one all year.
It was clear to me that they were going to take it from me. I have not yet played as number two, so we will see what feel,” Alcaraz said.
