“He has the advantage of aiming for 20, 22, 23 Grand Slams" - Alcaraz touted for more major success by Nadal's uncle thanks to lack of fierce competition

Carlos Alcaraz is half of the dominant force currently playing their trade on the ATP Tour. However, according to the uncle of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, Miguel Nadal, believes his nephew faced stiffer competition compared to what Alcaraz has against him now.

The former Barcelona defender, who won five La Liga titles and was capped 62 times for Spain, is part of a very talented sporting family to say the least. He is the brother of Toni Nadal who was responsible for coaching and overlooking the brilliant career that Nadal enjoyed over so many years.

In that time, Nadal was a part of an intriguing rivalry alongside Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, labelled as the 'Big Three.' Along with them, the likes of Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Juan Martin del Potro and Marin Cilic were all big threats, challenging for Grand Slam titles and pushing these tennis icons on the biggest stages.

In contrast to the current day, both Alcaraz and his rival Jannik Sinner have it almost all their own way. They have won each of the last nine Grand Slam titles and have clashed in three of the prior four. Their dominance is so stark that since 2024, one of them have come out on top in 18 of the 19 events they have both featured in.

No one has been able to rise up to their level and compete with them on a regular basis. The likes of Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Lorenzo Musetti, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur and Daniil Medvedev are unable to challenge them on a regular basis.

Speaking to BetBrothers, Nadal offered high praise to Alcaraz. Currently sidelined with a wrist injury for the rest of the clay swing, his fellow countryman was quick to share his strengths on the court.

“We are talking about a player who has everything with Carlos Alcaraz," he said. "He has a great serve, a great forehand, a backhand, a powerful physique, he is fast and he handles pressure."

He did add one not to all of this: “One positive aspect is that the competition is currently quite low."

Nadal continued: “Today the only player who casts a shadow over Alcaraz is Sinner. In Rafael’s time there was Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Alexander Zverev, Juan Martin Del Potro, David Ferrer. With all those players you could face them in the quarter-finals or even the first round and they could eliminate you."

That is in complete contrast to the current day. “Today, in Alcaraz’s case, there is a big difference. I don’t see a wide group of players who have options to win a Grand Slam. I think he is a player who will win many Grand Slams.”

This lack of current competition at this certain time could possibly be one of the reasons why Alcaraz has won an astonishing seven Grand Slam titles by the age of 22, completing the career Grand Slam in Melbourne at the start of the year.

Nadal gave him an ambitious target to reach. “He has the advantage of aiming for 20, 22, 23 Grand Slams," he stated. "It is very complicated because it requires minimum consistency and mental strength to suffer a not very high wear. I see it as difficult, but it could be possible. He has all the conditions and, apart from the sporting ones, when it comes to competition I don’t see players emerging today who are clear contenders to win a Grand Slam.”

It is certain that number eight will not be his third Roland Garros title. Alcaraz will not defend his triumph in Paris due to that injury picked up at the Barcelona Open. Hopeful to be back for the grass swing, Wimbledon could be his next chance at more major silverware.