Carlos Alcaraz is a player who has become the favorite of tennis fans around the world. The Spaniard added his name to the list of elites when he reached world number 1 at the age of 19. He is on track to making a career as glorious as the big three, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. But Patrick McEnroe, brother of John McEnroe, believes that Alcaraz is quite far away from having his name included in the GOAT debate.
Alcaraz’s US Open win catapulted him into immense fame among the fans of the sport. Ever since he reached the professional circuit, I have compared him to Nadal, Djokovic and Federer several times.
Carlos Alcaraz has a long way to go in the GOAT debate
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The Spaniard has been winning several trophies since bursting through the ranks of professional tennis. Along with US Open, he also won the Indian Wells Masters and reached the final of the Miami Open, almost clinching the sunshine doubles. With back-to-back great performances, fans have named him as a potential candidate for the GOAT debate in the future.
While many lauded him, one former player does not believe that Alcaraz is close to adding his name to the list. Patrick McEnroe, winner of the 1989 French Open doubles title, stated that Alcaraz has to add several titles to his name before his name can be compared to the ‘Big Three’.
It started when the Twitter handle ‘Tennis Analyst’ shared a video of Alcaraz on Twitter as a reply to one of Patrick’s tweets about Djokovic. The tweet read, “How long before they chant Carlos is the Goat?“. The former tennis star didn’t wait too long to give a snarky reply, as he said, “When he wins his 23rd major….only 22 to go“.
When he wins his 23rd major….only 22 to go https://t.co/JmC0MVt1AB
— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) May 3, 2023
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Alcaraz is certainly doing his best to be considered among the elites!
Playing in the Madrid Open, Carlos Alcaraz is certainly looking invincible. He has reached the quarterfinals and is ready to face Karen Khachanov. Although he has been impeccable throughout the tournament, his round of 16 match against Alexander Zverev became the highlight of his run. He met the German in round 4 and breezed past him in straight sets of 6-1, 6-2.
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Alcaraz is destroying most of the competition that comes his way, gaining recognition from all corners of the tennis community. Even Taylor Fritz believes that he can become as great as the ‘Big Three’. But with his career just starting, there’s no saying how it will advance.
Do you think Alcaraz can emulate the achievements of the ‘Big Three’?