Former World No.12 Bertolucci calls Alcaraz 'complete' and 'heir' to Big Three: "No one in their twenties who played like that"

Former world number 12 Italy’s Paolo Bertolucci believes that Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz is a true ‘heir’ to the Big Three in tennis.

The 20-year-old is now the talk of the town in the world of tennis after securing his maiden Wimbledon triumph following a thrilling win in five sets against current world number two Serbia’s Novak Djokovic with a score of 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.

Bertolucci while talking to Jot Down, stated that the current world number three has all the potential to lead the world of tennis for years to come.

“He is the great heir of the ‘Big Three’ because there was no one in their twenties who played tennis like that,” he said. “He is complete. He looks great on any surface. Let’s say it’s about prototype of the tennis player of the future. Now, it is not known where he will arrive because that is where intangibles such as physicality, the competition he may have, or the hunger for victory, come into play.

“Everything seems to indicate that he will continue writing pages and pages of tennis successes just because he has things from the ‘Big Three.’ He is a complete phenomenon. He is complete physically and technically.

“I’ve seen a lot of tennis, and I didn’t see anyone like that at twenty years old. He does everything – serves well, dominates the rest on the forehand, has a great backhand, goes up to the net and liquidates with a good smash, makes great drops. Everything very fast. In addition, he is resistant.”

Bertolucci also suggested that there is a difference between Alcaraz and the ‘Big Three’ and that is his ability to enjoy under pressure.

“Nadal suffers on the field,” he said. “He is one of a kind, but he suffers. Federer was crystal clear technique, but he wasn’t smiling. Alcaraz has fun. He reminds me, in football, of Ronaldinho.

“In ten years, I don’t see anyone who overshadows him. The Serbian (Djokovic) will retire in one or two years, I imagine. If Alcaraz respects his physique, he will be at the top for a decade”.