Carlos Alcaraz is widely viewed as the heir apparent to Rafael Nadal, but a former Spanish Top 10 player disagrees with making such pronouncements.
In his bustling young career, Alcaraz has already won two Grand Slams and been ranked World No. 1 - the youngest player to do so in ATP history. Many tennis players tend to get a good grasp of their strengths and pinpoint solutions to their weaknesses so late in their careers.
But for Nadal and Alcaraz, to an extent, it has been the exact opposite, which is why tennis fans have jumped to make early judgments. Rankings don't lie. Alcaraz is a special talent who has shown remarkable poise and maturity beyond his years.
But former World No. 9 Roberto Bautista Agut denies the notion that Alcaraz is an incumbent to the seat of becoming Spanish tennis' flagbearer once Nadal leaves the stage.
Nadal, 37, has served that role with distinction for almost two decades, but he is in the twilight of his career and has been flirting with retirement, with 2024 possibly his last year on tour.
"I think that talking about replacing Rafa is not fair either. Rafa is going to have an unmatched, brutal career, he is a special player."
Bautista Agut believes that Nadal's career is unmatched. He also weighed in on the discourse regarding comparisons drawn about Alcaraz and the Big Three. The Spanish veteran warned against making such overzealous claims but is confident that the 20-year-old is destined for a long and fruitful career.
"We should not make comparisons with the 'Big Three'. It is clear that Carlos is also one of the chosen ones, that he has many qualities and I hope he has a career as long-lasting and successful as theirs."
"He has powers, but then it has to be done. Races have to be managed well, work well and be well surrounded to do what Rafa, Federer and Djokovic have done."
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