Sebastian Korda backed to end the wait for an American Grand Slam winner
Esteemed coach Rick Macci believes that Sebastian Korda could be the player who ends the long wait for an American man to win a singles Grand Slam.
Macci feels that Korda has an incredible tennis pedigree thanks to his parents Petr Korda and Regina Rajchrtova, who were both professionals on the ATP and WTA Tours, respectively.
The coach also commended the range of shots and allround game of Korda, who has the raw ingredients for great success.
“I see Sebastian Korda as the next potential US slam winner,” Macci told OLBG.
“He has the pedigree given his parents playing on the professional tour. His backhand is rock solid, and his forehand is a bit like Federer’s, with lots of spin.
“He can hit the ball short and bring you in, he has imagination and he can volley. If he serves a little better, I can see him competing for and winning Grand Slams. He could be the next great American men’s player.”
Korda is the third seed for next week’s Winston-Salem Open in North Carolina.
While he reached the championship match in Adelaide and the quarter-finals at the Australian Open, Korda hasn’t enjoyed a terribly fruitful 2023 season.
As for this season’s US Open, Macci is not looking past the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Macci believes that Alcaraz is a full package player with so many tools and weapons.
He commended the all-action style of Alcaraz and labelled him a ‘Broadway performer’ born to dazzle on the biggest courts in tennis.
“Alcaraz is a generational talent, he’s something the tennis world has never seen before. He brings something to the table that we’ve never witnessed,” Macci added.
“His make-up speed is like no other, once he hits that other gear, his speed is unreal. He’s great off the ground, his volleys are textbook, and he can chip it and rip it.
“He’s a Broadway performer, he was meant to do this, and he doesn’t feel the pressure. He loses a 20-ball rally and smiles at you! Mentally, he is very, very good.
“He’s a combination of Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Agassi. He has a little bit of everything. There are no holes in his game and he’s only 20!”
Alcaraz faces Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s Cincinatti Masters final with the Spaniard out to deny the ATP Tour icon a 39th Masters title.
The Spanish world No 1 has also clinched to the top seeding at the US Open thanks to his run to the final in Cincinnati.
READ MORE: Novak Djokovic says ‘This is what everybody wanted’ of clash with Carlos Alcaraz
