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Serena Williams’ former coach makes bold claim about where Carlos Alcaraz ranks amongst the best-ever youngsters

Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images
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Carlos Alcaraz has carved out a legendary career in tennis and is still only 22 years of age.

With six Grand Slam titles to his name, the Spaniard has already matched the major tallies of Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, and looks set to claim many more.

Alcaraz has also clinched an Olympic silver medal and has finished as the year-end world number one twice since turning professional.

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the US Open title in 2022
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

There have been several stars in tennis history who have risen to the top of the game at a young age, including Becker and Rafael Nadal.

With Alcaraz‘s resume at such at 22, though, he may just have enjoyed the greatest start to a career ever, and Serena Williams‘ former coach, Rick Macci, thinks he is the best ever at his age.

Rick Macci says Carlos Alcaraz is the best ever at his age

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Macci said of Alcaraz: “When you look at what he has done so far, the Spanish Magician is the best player by far at his age ever to hold a stick.

“But in life, it is not how you start or where you start; it is where you finish. Barring injury, Carlos will be hanging out with the big three in numbers and maybe a guy from Italy.”

Do you think Carlos Alcaraz will win the Australian Open in 2026?

Alcaraz’s rival, world number two Jannik Sinner, has claimed four Grand Slam titles at the age of 24, with all of them coming in the past two years.

Both Alcaraz and Sinner, barring injuries, are on track to match the major totals of Novak Djokovic, Nadal, and Roger Federer, who have 24, 22, and 20, respectively.

They split all four Grand Slam titles between them for the second year in a row in 2025.

YearAustralian OpenRoland GarrosWimbledonUS Open
2025SinnerAlcarazSinnerAlcaraz
2024SinnerAlcarazAlcarazSinner
Grand Slam winners in 2024 and 2025
Jannik Sinner embraces Carlos Alcaraz after beating him to win the 2025 ATP Finals in Turin.
Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images

John McEnroe agreed with Rick Macci about Carlos Alcaraz

American tennis legend John McEnroe made a similar claim to Macci earlier this year at the Laver Cup in San Francisco.

Speaking on the Tennis Channel, McEnroe said of Alcaraz: “I mean, I’ve watched tennis for 50 years or longer. Of all the players I’ve ever watched, at this age, I’ve never seen a player this good and this complete for the last two or three years.”

Carlos Alcaraz has only ever lost one of SEVEN Grand Slam finals…

Carlos Alcaraz's seven Grand Slam finals
https://www.sofascore.com/tennis/player/alcaraz-carlos/275923?utm_source=thetennisgazette&utm_medium=Tennis

“Thank God for Carlos Alcaraz and what he’s bringing to the table. The young kids always want to emulate the big boys.

“I’m hoping that they’re going to look at Carlos and what he does, how he loves to be aggressive and move forward, because we’ve lost a lot of that, but I think that’s going to change because of him.”

Alcaraz needs just the Australian Open title to become the youngest player in the Open Era to achieve the Career Grand Slam.