The tennis world ought to benefit from the arrival of Carlos Alcaraz as its new star, says Feliciano Lopez.
In a marvellous Wimbledon remaining, Alcaraz overcame Novak Djokovic, one of many best gamers within the historical past of the game, in a five-set epic.
Spain’s Lopez, a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist himself, emphasised the importance of his countryman’s ascent to the summit of the game at such an early stage of his profession.
“You understand how vital it’s to win Wimbledon at solely 20 years outdated,” Lopez instructed Sky Sports activities Information.
“It’s extremely uncommon to see somebody like Carlos successful titles at 20 years outdated, with the ability to actually problem Novak Djokovic within the remaining yesterday at Wimbledon.
“I feel he is very mature for his age and the proof is how courageous he was yesterday when the match was going by way of probably the most tough instances within the fifth set, he confirmed some bravery. He was satisfied that he may do it.
“As Novak stated after within the press convention, I feel Carlos, aside from his tennis expertise and skills, all the things that he has, his psychological energy is one thing very spectacular for a child.
“He is carrying a number of stress since he began enjoying skilled tennis, the comparability with [Rafael] Nadal and [the rest of] the Large Three goes to be all the time there.
“However he appears to be comfy carrying the stress and it’s totally spectacular what he is achieved up to now.”
It is exceptional that Alcaraz is rising to prominence simply as Rafael Nadal is reaching the tip of his profession.
“We [Spain] should not a really highly effective nation when it comes to sports activities and I name it a little bit bit like a miracle as a result of it’s totally uncommon to see somebody like Carlos, particularly the timing when Rafa is about to complete,” Lopez stated.
“We’ve got Carlitos breaking by way of it is actually superb for Spain generally, for everybody as a result of it is one thing very uncommon to see.”
It is too early to say simply but whether or not Alcaraz can carve out a spot in tennis historical past much like Nadal’s.
“In fact we now have to attend. Solely time will inform what number of Slams and titles he can win. However I feel it is an actual blessing for tennis to have somebody like him. As a result of I feel the best way he performs may be very totally different from nearly all of gamers on the market and that is one thing that all of us should take pleasure in,” Lopez stated.
“If I take all the things that he is achieved already, I may say that he might be one of many best however alternatively, it’s totally early to say. What about 15 Grand Slams? How does that sound?
“I do not understand how far he can get, but it surely’s very tough to get as far [as he’s got] at his age.
“All of us have to sit down down and revel in the best way he performs.”
That manner of enjoying has been likened to a mix of Nadal, Djokovic and Roger Federer, by no lesser knowledgeable than Djokovic himself within the aftermath of their Wimbledon remaining.
“It’s true that Carlitos has a little bit little bit of all of them. He has the psychological energy from Rafa, the bodily situation from Rafa and Nole, the tennis expertise. I see similarities with Roger on the anticipation and on many different issues. It is a very robust assertion, I’ve to say, to say that,” Lopez stated. “I do agree with that.”
Alcaraz has quickly tailored to enjoying on grass courts, and Lopez acknowledged the affect of coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
“I need to give a number of credit score as properly to Juan Carlos,” Lopez stated. “Juan Carlos was the No 1 participant on the earth, he received the French Open. He was an incredible participant and since Carlos was a little bit child, he is been dedicating his life additionally to Carlos to assist him accomplish all the things in his profession.
“Juan Carlos was useful in that strategy of adapting to the grass,” he continued.
“He performed solely six matches earlier than Queens after which he ended up successful Queens and Wimbledon back-to-back so in fact all of the credit score to Carlos. As a result of this is without doubt one of the expertise that he has, the capability and the flexibility to adapt in a short time to any floor he is enjoying however I am certain Juan Carlos has been very useful throughout that course of.”
The following Grand Slam would be the US Open, which begins on August 28 stay Sky Sports activities.
Alcaraz goes in because the defending champion with Djokovic now searching for Wimbledon revenge.
“He [Alcaraz] is such a pleasant child. He is actually residing the dream. It’s extremely tough to be in his place proper now and dealing with a number of stress he is dealing with currently,” Lopez stated.
“It has been very quick. I feel that is probably the most tough factor for him to deal with. He stated that many instances already, all the things goes very quick for him. The truth that he received Wimbledon yesterday at 20 years outdated. Not many gamers did that previously.
“Every little thing’s been going very quick.” However he added: “The journey’s been nice up to now.”