$6,000,000 Triumph Over Idol Rafael Nadal Puts 20YO Carlos Alcaraz Atop Tennis’ Popularity Map as Radical Shift Gets in Motion

Over the years, Spanish tennis has seen some legendary players take the court. From Carlos Moya to Rafael Nadal, these stars have enthralled fans all over the globe. While the latter is nearing the end of his illustrious career, he has passed on the baton to Spanish sensation, Carlos Alcaraz. The 20-year-old has been a force to reckon with on the ATP Tour in the recent past. Recently, he overtook his compatriot Nadal in the latest list released by Forbes.

Along with his on-court exploits, Alcaraz’s stocks have massively gone up off the court too. He has garnered more and more brand associations owing to his success on the court. Here’s how he left Nadal behind.

Carlos Alcaraz moves ahead of Rafael Nadal

Earlier this week, Forbes released the list of the world’s highest-paid tennis players. As expected, it was the 23-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic, who led the chart. However, there was one big gainer in the list.

World Number 1, Carlos Alcaraz moved to the second position on the list. He amassed $31.4 Million annually, as against Djokovic’s $38.4 Million. One notable point in his rise was the contribution of his off-court earnings.

The Spanish sensation earned $20 Million through off-court activities like brand sponsorships and investments. On the other hand, his idol, Nadal got $14 Million in off-court earnings. This depicts a seismic shift of power in Spanish tennis as the 20-year-old Alcaraz has taken over the responsibility on his shoulders.

Not only fans but also legends of the game have lauded Alcaraz for his performances this year. Recently, John McEnroe snubbed the likes of Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal to bestow huge praise on Alcaraz.

DIVE DEEPER: Despite Gruesome Cincinnati Moment, Carlos Alcaraz Heads to the US Open With Loads of Confidence as Familiar Foe Novak Djokovic Craves 5-Set Revenge

What did McEnroe say about Alcaraz?

The American tennis legend is an ESPN expert and a commentator for the upcoming US Open. During one of the conversations, he picked up his favorite player. Talking about this, he said, “I think that the way he plays is absolutely spectacular. He’s the most complete 20-year-old I’ve ever seen, and that includes Novak and Roger and Rafa. He seems to me like he’s pretty much great at everything.”

Alcaraz will look to put the recent disappointments behind him as he sets his eyes on defending his US Open crown. He’ll face a firm challenge from the likes of Djokovic and Medvedev. Overall, it promises to be an exciting tournament.

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