'It would not surprise me at all': Why Carlos Alcaraz has the ability to dethrone Novak Djokovic as the greatest player ever
Carlos Alcaraz has the ability to do the unthinkable and overtake Novak Djokovic's record for the most grand slam titles ever by a men's player.
That's the opinion of former Slovakian professional Daniela Hantuchova who, like the rest of the tennis world, watched on in awe as the Spanish sensation breezed past the GOAT with a straight sets triumph in the Wimbledon final.
The 21-year-old Alcaraz has now peeled off two straight grand slam wins, on the back of his first Roland-Garros title, and told Stan Sport recently that he is targeting January's Australian Open to complete the career slam set.
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Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. Getty
Alcaraz, influenced by the great artist Roger Federer and compatriot Rafael Nadal in equal measure, already has four grand slams under his belt at the age Djokovic had just one.
"To me, really, the sky is the limit and it would not surprise me at all if he one day passes even Novak," Hantuchova told Stan Sport's Grand Slam Daily.
"Crazy. I mean, even the greats of our game are saying the same thing. At the age of 21, no one has done what he's done. So as long as Carlos stays healthy...
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"I mean, he just proved it today because at 5-4 (in the third set), that's like the most difficult situation you can have in tennis, having three match points against Novak (and not converting). And then he somehow manages to stay calm and close it out in the tiebreak. That's his maturity beyond his years."
Djokovic was hoping to tie Federer's men's record of eight Wimbledon titles and become the first player in tennis history to win 25 grand slams by overtaking Australian legend Margaret Court.
Instead, Alcaraz improved to 4-0 in major finals.
Only Federer got off to a better start to a career among men, going 7-0.
And Alcaraz is still playing the game with a childlike joy.
"He's got the best team around him," Hantuchova said.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates winning in London. Getty
"Everything he's done the last couple of years, if (coach) Juan Carlos Ferrero wasn't there for him, probably he would sometimes have to learn the hard way.
"But having a former (world) No.1 next to you, I think he helps him to avoid so many mistakes like the other players would do."
Sunday's rematch began with a game that felt monumental: 20 points across nearly 15 minutes, portending an engrossing, back and forth contest - and a long one.
There were moments of brilliance from both men. Alcaraz, though, was better.
Just as he would be for nearly all of the next two hours in a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory.
"At the end of my career, I want to sit at the same table as the big guys," said Alcaraz, who, after receiving Wimbledon's gold trophy from Kate, the Princess of Wales, is now just the sixth man to triumph on the red clay at Roland-Garros and the grass at the All England Club in the same season.
"That's my main goal. That's my dream right now."
"He just was better than me in every aspect of the game," said the 37-year-old Djokovic, who had knee surgery just over a month ago.
"In movement, in the way he was just striking the ball beautifully, serving great. Everything."
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain plays a shot behind his back against Novak Djokovic of Serbia. Getty
Indeed, Alcaraz was outstanding in pretty much every way, from the basics to the sorts of shots no one else would even try.
Once, he leapt and wrapped his racquet all the way around his back to get the ball over the net, although Djokovic did put an overhead away to win that point.
Alcaraz ran wide of the doubles alley for forehand winners.
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He claimed points via drop shots. He smacked serves at up to 219km/h.
He accumulated 14 break points, converting five, and faced just three.
What can't Alcaraz do?
Two days before the final, Djokovic paid Alcaraz quite a compliment, saying: "I see a lot of similarities between me and him."
So true. And remember, Alcaraz is just getting started.
"I want," Alcaraz said, "to keep going."
