Ex-coach of the former world number one Roger Federer believes that Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz is the most complete young player in the circuit.
The 20-year-old is often regarded as one of the most highly-rated young players alongside Italy’s Jannik Sinner and America’s Ben Shelton. Paul Annacone who worked with Federer as a coach stated that Alcaraz is the most complete young player out there.
94.4 - Carlos Alcaraz is 17-1 at Grand Slam events in 2023 with victory over Alexander Zverev. Alcaraz's current GS winning percentage of 94.4% in 2023 is the highest in a calendar year of any male before turning 21 in the Open Era. Elite. #USOpen #USOpen2023 | @usopen @atptour
"I think Alcaraz, if he could stay healthy, should be a multiple, multiple Grand Slam [winner]," he said. "Is he going to get 20? I have no idea. I don't even like to guess at stuff like that, but if he stays healthy with his athletic skill set.
"And from what I've seen, look, we don't, I don't think we've mentioned enough what he's gone through with Juan Carlos Ferrero. Juan Carlos Ferrero has taught him since he's been a little kid. And he's the most complete young player I've ever seen in my life.
"That doesn't mean Rafa (Rafael Nadal) didn't have more results at his age, but I've never seen anyone at his age that can defend, that can volley, that can stay back and play lateral tennis, that can use drop shots. That can, you know, that can use spins, speeds, all the different areas of the, I've never seen it before at someone that age.”
Alcaraz, despite being 20, has already won multiple Grand Slam titles. He clinched the US Open in 2022 after beating Norway’s Casper Ruud in the final with a score of 6–4, 2–6, 7–6(7–1) and 6–3.
Later in 2023, the current world number two clinched the Wimbledon title in London after beating Serbia’s legendary tennis star and the current world number one Novak Djokovic in a five-set thrilling final with a score of 1–6, 7–6(8–6), 6–1, 3–6 and 6–4.
