US Open 2024: Mats Wilander backs Carlos Alcaraz to ‘easily win 10 majors’ during his career - ‘He is an artist’

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Mats Wilander believes Carlos Alcaraz will go on to establish himself as one of the best players ever to pick up a tennis racquet. At just 21 years old, Alcaraz is already a four-time Grand Slam champion and an Olympic silver medallist. He is the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, and is through to the second round of the US Open after beating Australia's Li Tu in four sets.

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Eurosport expert Mats Wilander has backed Carlos Alcaraz to become one of the all-time greats after making a stunning start to his tennis career.

The Spaniard vaulted onto the scene with a win at the 2022 US Open when he was just 19 and has gone on to establish himself as one of the best players in the world, adding two Wimbledon titles and a French Open to his Grand Slam haul.

He claimed silver at the Paris Olympics earlier this month and few would bet against him triumphing for a second time at Flushing Meadows.

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And Wilander, himself a seven-time Grand Slam champion, has been particularly impressed by Alcaraz’s style of play.

While 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has no real weakness, he tends to wear opponents down with his metronomic accuracy, whereas Alcaraz possesses a flair rarely seen in the game.

“Since he was here last year, he’s won Wimbledon, the French Open, a silver medallist ... I think we’ve realised that he is going to be among the best players of all time, already at 21,” Wilander said.

“He won the silver medal at the Olympics which is still a great achievement. The longer time that passes, the more proud I think he will be. At the Olympics, you play for more than yourself; you play for your country.

“He is an artist, he is passionate and can hit every shot. Now we know that he has a little bit of anger there like most 21-year-olds. It shows his fire.

“The crowd gives him a lot of energy. But I think he feels a certain amount of pressure. When I watch him play, I expect certain things to happen that have never happened on a tennis court before.

“And I don’t expect that from Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray. At times, Roger Federer would deliver moments like this though with his level.

“The 2022 US Open final is what made Carlos Alcaraz a superstar. The level was so high and that’s why we’re all so excited.”

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He added: “For Alcaraz, in the beginning, it was the variety, the drop shots, hard forehands, serve and volley. He is faster than anyone I’ve ever seen on a tennis court.

“After the French Open this year and after Wimbledon this year, he wasn’t playing his best but still pulled through. That’s why I think he will easily win 10 majors in his career.”

Alcaraz is just one of the latest generation of players to make his mark. As well as the Spaniard, Italy’s Jannik Sinner has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the men’s game.

He is the current world No. 1 and reigning Australian Open champion, while he also won in Cincinnati to underline his credentials as a strong favourite in New York.

But it is far from a two-man shoot-out at Flushing Meadows. Djokovic is bidding for a 25th Grand Slam off the back of capturing Olympic gold, with Wilander picking out another former champion as one not to be overlooked.

“Not only with Carlos being there, but another youngster being there with him – Jannik Sinner. The timings of their arrival is so good for our sport,” Wilander said.

“However, since the arrival of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev has been there and beaten them. He is the one player from that generation that has stayed with the top three and still has wins over the top three.

“I think he will play himself into good shape, and it’s a long day trying to beat Daniil Medvedev at the US Open.”

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