Carlos Alcaraz had one of the greatest tennis careers before turning 21, and there are many things about it that impress former ATP player Tim Henman.
The young Spaniard recently became the only player alongside Rafael Nadal to have won 5 ATP Masters 1000 tournaments before turning 21. The last of those came at the Indian Wells Open which he won for the second time a few days ago by beating Daniil Medvedev in the final.
That's an impressive achievement, and what's especially impressive to Henman, who spoke to Sky Sports, is that he's doing it so young. Tennis is a tough sport physically, and most teenagers are not at their peak physically.
It takes a lot out of a player to really compete at this level, and Alcaraz has been spectacular ever since he started.
"The vast majority of players now, given the physicality, it takes longer for these players to break through. And so for me, it adds to the quality of Alcaraz that he can play at this level at the age of 20, but to have that physicality as well."
"So to see him chasing Rafa with five Masters 1000s [before 21], it’s amazing. And given that mindset, given his team, the hunger and desire and motivation… He has to stay injury-free, we saw him twist his ankle on the clay down in South America, so you’ve always got to be wary of that."
Alcaraz will have a chance to win a sixth and also seventh ATP Masters 1000 trophy before turning 21 because two will be played before he turns 21. The Miami Open that will be played next week is an event he has won in the past.
There is also the Monte-Carlo Masters in April, and after that, he'll compete at the Madrid Open, where he'll turn 21.
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