Carlos Alcaraz has already achieved impressive results at just 21. The former world number 1 has won four Grand Slam titles in the last two years and has become the youngest ever to win the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships in the same season. The young Spanish ace is less regular than Jannik Sinner over a season, but he can reach really high peaks. When he plays his best tennis, it is almost impossible to beat the 21-year-old from Murcia.
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After winning the ATP 500 in Beijing and losing in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters 1000 against Tomas Machac, Carlitos flew to Saudi Arabia to participate in the 'Six Kings Slam' along with champions such as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune.
The Spaniard faced the young Dane in the quarterfinals and prevailed without too much difficulty, despite the very fast surface is not ideal for his style of play. Alcaraz will face his idol Nadal today in the second semi-final, with the predictions all addressed to the side of Carlos.
Rafa - who will retire after the Davis Cup Finals in November - has not played an official match since the Paris Olympics this summer and his physical condition is very poor. Alcaraz and Nadal will join during the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga and could play doubles together as at the Paris Olympics. Although their style of play is very different, Carlitos is the natural heir to Rafa and looks set to achieve great things in the next decade.
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Who has a better forehand?
During an interview at the Six Kings Slam, Alcaraz was asked who has a betterforehand between him and Nadal: "I am only starting my career, so for now I choose Rafa's. For now, but I am very happy with my forehand as well, so we will see at the end of my career who has the better forehand."
The 4-time Grand Slam champion paid tribute to his great compatriot: "I have been watching his matches since I started playing tennis. I admire him a lot; he has been and still is my idol. Of course, it is sad that he announces his retirement from tennis. He is a truly important person in my life, in my career; he was one of the reasons why I wanted to be a professional tennis player. Knowing that he is retiring is tough for everyone, for me. It is a privilege to face him once again; it will be challenging for me, but I will try to enjoy the opportunity to share the court with him.
I saw him at the hotel, and we were able to talk a little about things outside of tennis, about life. I will go all out in the semifinal, at full power. It does not surprise me that he trains at 100%, hitting the ball really hard, feeling it very well because he is a legend, no matter that he has not been on tour for four months. I know he will come back stronger than ever. I will try to play good tennis, at the same level, and without fear."
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A generational clash
Alcarazs season has had some downturns, as after the Paris Olympics, when he was defeated in the second round of the US Open by Botic van de Zandschulp. The Spaniards next goal is to become more consistent throughout the season, avoiding those ups and downs that have pushed him away from Sinner in the ATP ranking.
During an interview with DAZN, 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafa Nadal commented on Alcaraz and Sinners era: "They are doing great. They are very young, they already are achieving amazing things, winning Grand Slams, winning Masters 1000s, creating great numbers out there and they are very young. Carlos, Jannik, especially these two guys are making a special thing so wish them all the very best to keep growing in all ways and they are already huge stars and I'm sure if they are able to stay free of injuries, they're gonna build an amazing career.
He also added: "I mean, I think it's not the moment to compare eras because Novak is still there. Roger and I, we left, we're gonna leave soon but that's part of the sports career of everyone so now it's new generation coming. We need to leave them, create their own rivalries and create their own story without, they don't need the comparisons with us and let's see at the end of their careers, then going to be the moment to compare what they did, what we did."
