The clay court season is about to heat up. After all, the young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz is all set to take on the veteran Serbian Novak Djokovic. Unsurprisingly, speculation and predictions for the match have come from almost every tennis fan and pundit on the planet. Going into the match, Alcaraz is very much looking like the favorite owing to his stunning performances so far. Although several high-profile names are expecting the youngster to overwhelm an aging Djokovic, Russian tennis legend Maria Sharapova’s words, which are putting some extra pressure on the 20-year-old for his brilliance on the clay court this year.
In a recent interview, Sharapova hailed Alcaraz for not only his tennis playing abilities but also for his showmanship. Rick Macci, the iconic coach who trained Sharapova, also offered words of positivity and encouragement for Alcaraz. Here is what they said:
Maria Sharapova can’t wait for Carlos Alcaraz to grow
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In an interview with La Gazzetta, Maria Sharapova talked about the prospective Italian player Jannik Sinner and how he can win a major. The Russian also added to the anticipation of the Roland Garros semifinal. As she keeps up with tennis, Sharapova lauded the talent that resides within Alcaraz.
“Carlos [Alcaraz] it’s incredible. What fascinates me most about him is his fighting spirit on every point. He manages to put on a show and ignite the crowd every time he sets foot on the field. I can’t wait to see him grow, I’m really curious to see where he can go and what he can do.”
For her, Carlitos is simply incredible. His fighting spirit is what impresses her. Additionally, his ability to grab the crowd by putting on a great “show” and keep them glued to him is another facet of his game that she enjoys.
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As Sharapova has joined the heaps of praises for the Spanish star, Rick Macci is another personality who sees immense potential in Alcaraz.
Williams sisters’ childhood coach loves Alcaraz
Coach Rick Macci is a legendary coach in the racket sport. Besides Serena and Venus Williams, Macci has coached players like Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, and Jennifer Capriati. Noticing the talent of a 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, Macci had to praise him. He stated how every aspect of his game is filled with potential after his 2022 Madrid Open win.
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Although he is already dominating the circuit at such a young age, Alcaraz has shown the potential to win more slams than any player so far.
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