Carlos Alcaraz was compared to 7-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe upon his arrival at the Shanghai Masters. The Spanish world number 3 was praised by legendary coach Brad Gilbert, who has worked with players such as Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori and most recently Coco Gauff.
Alcaraz made his debut in his second Asian tournament on Saturday, defeating local player Juncheng Shang 6-2, 6-2. The four-time Grand Slam champion clinched the title at the China Open (Beijing) just a week ago when he defeated probably his biggest rival Jannik Sinner in an epic final (6:7, 6:4, 7:6). Alcaraz’s next challenge will be another local player, Wu Yibing, who beat No. 25 seed Nicolas Jarry 6-2, 6-1.
One person who followed Alcaraz’s match against rising star Shang closely was trainer Brad Gilbert, who recently ended a year-long partnership with Coco Gauff. The American coach compared Alcaraz to the legendary John McEnroe and noted that he could not think of any other player who had reached such a high level at such a young age.
“When I watch the Alcaraz escape replay, I think of his creativity and moves at the net, which are just incredible. Someone else the same age was 🤩 so good 👍 at it, Johney Mac,” wrote Gilbertwrote.
Recently, McEnroe himself compared Alcaraz to the “Big 3” and claimed that “Carlitos” plays seven times better than Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the same level.
“For me, at 21 years old, he is better than Federer, Nadal and Djokovic… Alcaraz is a unique individual who we need in this sport for a long time. You have to love what he brings to the sport,” McEnroe said during a pre -Show at the French Open 2024. “Carlos Alcaraz is my favorite player to watch. He is the most capable young man I have ever seen play at this age. It is hard to imagine that he can improve any further, because he’s already so good at everything,” he added.
watching replay escape from Alcaraz, thinking 🤔 about his creativity and movement at the net are simply amazing. someone else at same age was 🤩 so good 👍at that Johney Mac 🖥️
