Carlos Alcaraz is still only 20, but he is better than everybody else, including 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, according to retired ATP player Jimmy Arias.
Speaking to Tennis Channel Inside-In Podcast, Arias, who currently serves as a match commentator, says Carlos Alcaraz has the highest level of any player he has seen, past or present, and added that he has learned to deal with the baggage of pressure very quickly and at a very young age.
Alcaraz was the odds-on favorite to beat Djokovic in their blockbuster semifinal at last month's French Open but was easily overpowered by the Serb after he was afflicted by cramps midway through the match. Alcaraz later admitted to being reduced to a puddle of nerves and tension, something he had never experienced before.
Arias said that it was some reaction by Alcaraz to be able to quickly overcome that mental hurdle and despite entering the Wimbledon final without too much grass court experience and prowess on the surface, Alcaraz stamped his authority as the new King of Centre Court, avenging his French Open defeat by beating Djokovic in five sets.
"Before the Wimbledon final, a couple of people asked me and I said and this maybe sounds crazy, but he at his best level is better than anybody else. He is better than Djokovic."
"I didn't know if he was going to bring it in a Wimbledon final against Djokovic. But I did also know he'll be more relaxed than when he was at the French. The French Open was a strange situation for him because playing at the time a 22-time Grand Slam champion and he is the favorite, I thought that was a strange mental hurdle for him. The Wimbledon final was the other way."
Broadcaster Michelle McMahon appeared to concur with Arias' claim pointing out the fact that none of the Big 3 had actually won a Grand Slam on two different surfaces at 20, something Alcaraz has already managed to achieve, winning last summer's US Open on hard courts and adding a maiden Wimbledon on grass.
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