Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki is among the players being honored this weekend. He took the time to speak about his “first love” in sports ahead of the Hall of Fame ceremony. The 2007 NBA MVP has a profound addiction to tennis which continues to excite him even at the age of 45. Nowitzki has been amused by several tennis legends. The latest to the list is a 20-year-old sensation who Nowitzki believes is a “complete package”.?
With already enough attention on him, the Spanish star broke the internet recently alongside Maria Sharapova. Now yet again, he has received the spotlight with heavy praise and a light warning from the Dunking Deutschman.?
Dirk Nowitzki has his bet on a 20-year-old tennis sensation
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You might have seen some videos of Dirk playing tennis after his retirement. Surprisingly, he has been doing that for a few decades now. The 2011 champion has been following the game for quite some time too. According to Nowitzki, 8-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer is his GOAT.? Now that Federer has bid his farewell, Nowitzki did not wait to replace him with the next big thing in the game.
It’s none other than this year’s Wimbledon winner Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish player’s impact was felt in the championship game against Novak Djokovic.
Standing at the top of the world, Alcaraz has already received praise from many legends. However, few anticipated Nowitzki’s comment. The 2007 MVP shared, “The crazy thing is, he?s only 20. If he stays injury-free, obviously he?s going to be dominant for a long, long time.”
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As a young player, it can be easy to take athleticism for granted. But as a man who played at the top level for over two decades, Dirk is all too familiar with “Father Time”.
His comments can serve as a reality check for the 20-year-old. Clearly, the message is that it’s now about health and not talent, which the Spaniard clearly possesses.
Though it is his first-ever Wimbledon title, several athletes, including the Dallas Mavericks legend, believe it is the first of many!?
Carlos Alcaraz breaks the internet alongside Maria Sharapova
The 20-year-old has reached the Quarter Finals of the Canada Open now. Before that, Alcaraz decided to catch up with women’s tennis legend Maria Sharapova. A picture of the two standing together spread like wildfire on social media.?
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When in Canada 🇨🇦🙌
Carlos Alcaraz met Maria Sharapova at the Academy United in Toronto 🫂 pic.twitter.com/7m09UrYPui
— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 9, 2023
Alcaraz has won six titles this year alone. Keeping in mind his peak form, the odds of him winning the Canada Open are sky-high. Clearly, age is not a matter for Alcaraz. Notably, Dirk Nowitzki also credited Alcaraz’s mental toughness at such a young age.
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?Do you agree with Nowitzki’s “dominant” claims of Carlos Alcaraz? Share your thoughts in the comments below.?