In the last few decades, the trajectory of tennis as a sport has changed completely – it is a truly global sport now and immensely popular amongst a huge number of people around the world. The lion’s share of the credit for this goes to stalwarts like Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, who in many ways, transcended beyond the realms of the sport itself. However, the same cannot be said for players from the younger generation, including incredible talents like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Former American tennis player Patrick McEnroe recently opened up on what he thinks is necessary for youngsters like Carlos Alcaraz and others to cement their place in the hearts of fans. Here is what he had to say.?

Carlos Alcaraz and co. need to win big more often, feels Patrick McEnroe

Currently working as a broadcaster and tennis pundit, Patrick McEnroe happens to be the brother of the legendary American tennis star John McEnroe. Patrick himself is a former tennis player and had captained the United States Davis Cup team. In a recent interview with Front Office Sports Today, Patrick claimed that in order to become household names like Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, or Andre Agassi, young players like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune must win big events more consistently.

“Obviously there’re classic guys like Federer, and then you go back to Pete Sampras, and you know, Andre Agassi who brought all that personality.. And Alcaraz and I think Sinner and Rune, these young guys they have a lot of that moxie, they have a lot of that ‘it’ factor..”, he said.

He further added, “And now the question becomes, can they become sort of household names, with that personality? But the only way you get to be a household name as a tennis player, is really to win consistently in the big events.”

Despite lauding the competitive personality and temperament of the next-gen players led by Carlos Alcaraz, Patrick McEnroe felt that in order to become global superstars and be larger-than-life names in the world of sports, they need to win big tournaments like the grand slams, more often. Current world number 1 Alcaraz has a chance to do just that, having made his way to the finals of the ongoing Wimbledon Championships. But a certain Novak Djokovic stands in the way.

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Alcaraz chases second slam of his career as he faces Novak Djokovic in epic Wimbledon final

Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz has shown why he is touted as the next best thing in tennis and considered the leader of the next-gen ATP stars. Alcaraz, along with Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, are the only 2 players below the age of 29 to have won a major in the past decade, which was hugely dominated by Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

After winning his maiden grand slam at the US Open last year, Carlos Alcaraz will look to become a multiple-time major winner when he battles Djokovic for the Wimbledon crown on Sunday. The Serb, on the other hand, aims to clinch his 24th major, which will make him the player with the most singles grand slam titles in the Open Era, surpassing Serena Williams.

Indeed, a clash of epic proportions awaits! If Carlos Alcaraz wants to become a household name and take his game to the next level, there’s no better time and no bigger occasion than this!

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