Carlitos Alcaraz has fulfilled the dream of each tennis fan who, no less than as soon as in his life, has entertained the concept of enjoying tennis. I did it too; I picked up my first racket in 1996, at 11 years outdated, a Wilson signed by Pete Sampras (a printed signature, clearly!). At 11 I began with a summer season camp on the clay-courts of a tennis membership in my hometown. It was love at first sight. With tennis. I proceed to play now and again, however I’ve by no means been a lot of a participant, apart from novice matches with buddies. Over time I’ve discovered myself rather more inclined to speak and write about tennis. To disseminate, moderately than to play. However after I was an 11 yr outdated I additionally dreamed of successful Wimbledon and Roland Garros. The identical dream that Alcaraz had many occasions.
However now the younger Spanish expertise, as aggressive as he’s, may have different goals and different targets to set. In step, however with the willpower that solely the predestined have. Within the brief time period there may be the protection of Wimbledon and the Olympic match, once more on the clay-courts of the Roland Garros Stadium. Already in Australia, in 2025 and nonetheless as a 21-year-old, Alcaraz might already full the profession Grand Slam. Loopy.
Are Novak Djokovic’s 24 Slams a dream or a utopia? At this level, it’s too untimely and sophisticated, however I want to suggest an evaluation, nonetheless immature. Nole’s 24 Slams are one thing distinctive, maybe unrepeatable, however Carlos might no less than come near these numbers. Particularly since there are at present no noteworthy opponents on the horizon. There’s Jannik Sinner. Strong, hardworking. He can problem Carlitos for titles, however in the meanwhile he’s one or two steps behind the Spanish tennis participant. His most fearsome opponent will clearly be Novak Djokovic, supplied that the Serbian champion returns to the identical state we admired in 2023. This is the reason he’s an unknown.
Nevertheless, I want to make a distinction that I consider is substantial between Alcaraz and Djokovic. Carlitos can definitely carry Djokovic’s 24 Slams nearer. He will not get to that quantity, it is going to be tough, however he might come shut. Nevertheless, Djokovic reached that quantity within the Huge 3 Period, matching Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Because of this, the Serbian’s milestones have extra worth than these of the Spaniard.
Up to now Alcaraz has received one Main per season, beginning in 2022. With nonetheless a few years of his profession left, he can think about no less than getting near the information set by the Huge 3. Amongst energetic tennis gamers, the Spaniard positioned instantly behind the Serbian and his compatriot, equaling the three Main titles received by Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka. Within the press convention after his triumph at Roland Garrps, a journalist requested the Spaniard if he thinks he can attain Nole’s 24 Slams.
“I do not know, I hope so. I spoke with Ferrero earlier than the ultimate and he made me perceive how tough it’s to win one. He even has 24. It is unimaginable. I can not give it some thought in the meanwhile, I’ve to maintain working after which we’ll see sooner or later which of them I can win. For the second I wish to benefit from the victory right here in Paris,” he informed.
In an interview with Tennis Channel, Carlitos made a comparability between this yr and what occurred final yr in France: “I think about myself a participant who learns from his errors, from the conditions he has skilled. In 2023, within the semifinal right here towards Djokovic, I could not end the match as a result of cramps. I mentioned I’d be taught from then. The truth is, within the Wimbledon remaining towards him I managed my nerves significantly better. A yr later, within the semifinal, I had bodily issues towards Jannik, however I managed it to proceed my run in direction of the ultimate,” he defined.
Now the Spaniard will give attention to Wimbledon and the Olympics.
“Within the third set I used to be forward 5-2 however I did not really feel superior to him, I could not discover a method to put him in problem, I had the sensation that he might win the video games with out issues and in the long run he actually got here again. Within the fourth set happily he began in a extra relaxed method and ranging from 4-0 helped me handle, then within the fifth set I merely gave all the pieces, I did what warriors do and I think about myself one. Returning to the Olympics quickly as a champion in Paris can be particular, I’ll have particular reminiscences and I will not disguise it. I feel it is going to be a really good match, my first Olympics proper after successful my first Roland Garros. I hope to do nicely, I wish to win gold and on the similar time play doubles along with Rafael Nadal, I will not consider it till I see it with my very own eyes. There have been moments by which I needed to make tough choices, hand over on these I cared about within the match, I needed to face varied uncertainties however I’ve to thank my group who helped me and who I think about like household. I do not play alone, my household is there,” he mentioned.
