Carlos Alcaraz, already a winner at the US Open in the past, will be hoping to add to his already sprawling trophy cabinet with a triumph in the coming weeks.
The 21-year-old has already conquered the tennis world, and in the summer alone has already won more than what most players do across an entire career.
It is frightening how good he already is, and thus even more scary thinking about how much better he will become.
But, despite his youth, John McEnroe has already suggested that Alcaraz has way surpassed an area that he admittedly struggled in during his playing days.
John McEnroe raves over Carlos Alcaraz ahead of the US Open
Speaking to ESPN‘s press release ahead of the US Open, they had enlisted two American tennis icons to preview the tournament.
It promises to be a truly thrilling iteration of the event, in which it really feels like anybody could win, however McEnroe was unsurprisingly in favour of one particular man who he has lauded with regularity.
Sitting beside Chris Evert, he insisted that Carlos Alcaraz was at a level far beyond the one he ever reached in one particular area of tennis.
Asked about his five-set proficiency, the 65-year-old admitted: ‘It’s tough to say why Alcaraz [succeeds over five sets].
‘He’s obviously incredibly talented, and he’s figured out how to sort of pace himself better because he had had some issues with cramping. He understands the emotions of what you go through better, so that helps. His record in five sets is incredible. I don’t think my record was anywhere near as good as him. It was decent, but nowhere near as good as him in the fifth set.
‘Conditioning obviously would help players, if you can get yourself super fit. Chrissie can speak to maybe winning in the third set.’
Could Carlos Alcaraz win the US Open?
It would be crazy to completely discount Alcaraz from winning any competition, but admittedly, this upcoming US Open is going to pose a huge worry for the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Especially after his recent showing at the Cincinnati Open.
Alcaraz complained about the conditions in Cincinnati, arguing ‘I remember yesterday I stepped on the court and warmed up, the five minutes, and we couldn’t put two balls in. It was incredibly different. It was insane. I don’t know why that’s different courts, different kind of speed the surfaces.’
With reports suggesting that the surface in New York will play similarly, things don’t look good for the 2022 champion.
He will have to adapt fast to stand a chance, but if anyone can it’s Alcaraz. He’s just that good.
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