Andy Roddick ‘amazed’ by how other players were acting around Carlos Alcaraz at the Laver Cup

Follow us on Google Discover

Andy Roddick has been reviewing last weekend’s Laver Cup action, which marked yet another successful year of action for Roger Federer’s tournament.

Watching on from the stands, it’s nice to see how far this competition has already grown, as an event that players actively want to be a part of now.

And none seemed as enthusiastic to partake as Carlos Alcaraz, clearly desperate to reaffirm his status as one of the best in the world after a tough US Open campaign.

It’s fair to say that’s exactly what he ended up doing.

Andy Roddick in awe of Carlos Alcaraz’s presence

Speaking on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, Andy Roddick had to start by combing over the Laver Cup.

After all, in the seventh iteration of the event, it was once again a roaring success, with the title coming down to the very last game.

However, with all the jeopardy that this could have commanded, it almost felt like the result was already predetermined given Alcaraz was involved.

He, when on form, is simply unstoppable, and Roddick admitted he couldn’t believe the respect he already commands from his peers.

He first claimed: ‘I think this was an important weekend for Carlos Alcaraz. Massive summer. One of the craziest losses I’ve seen just based on build-up and Olympics and two slams, the whole thing.

‘Alcaraz losing to van de Zandschulp in straight sets and a scoreline that’s as lopsided as he’s ever been a part of.

‘And then quickly reestablishing at the Laver Cup that ‘I am the best player in this building full of earth’s best players,’ coming through at the end.

‘And also the way that the other players like very easily were like ‘Oh yeah he’s the best player here’. It’s kind of the thing that we saw with the Big Three and now they’re discussing Carlos in that same light and he proved them right.’

Roddick later admitted: ‘I was surprised, especially on the heels of Sinner being dominant at the US Open. He lost the first set of the tournament, lost one to Meddy but he swept sets in the final weekend.

‘I was amazed at how many players, without even flinching, just said: Best top-level in tennis right now is Carlos Alcaraz. Without even like a hiccup. No flinching.

‘The general feeling seems to be that once he finds it and has it you have a massive problem. It’s kind of curtains in a way for him.’

Carlos Alcaraz is already revered by his opponents

It’s quite remarkable how, despite being quite comfortably the youngest first-choice player from either side alongside Ben Shelton, just how revered Alcaraz already is amongst his peers and opposition.

Throughout the entire weekend, it always felt like the result of the event would rest on his shoulders, with the belief from the fans, and clearly from the players, that he was the best player present.

Alexander Zverev would even praise Alcaraz as if he were already a legend of the sport, noting: ‘Don’t listen to what I’m going to say, because you’re like 12 years old and I shouldn’t say so many nice things about you.

‘But, yes, it’s a privilege to share the court with someone who’s already a legend in our sport.

‘From now on, you’re only going to get bigger. I’ve had the privilege of playing doubles with Roger Federer on several occasions here, which was very special.

‘Sharing the court with Carlos is also very special for me.’

To already strike fear into your opponents like he does, and inspire confidence in your teammates, is a remarkable feat.

We are so blessed that Alcaraz has arrived just as the Big Three are waning in influence. He promises to provide the tennis world with unbridled entertainment in their absence.