‘I’m glad Carlos Alcaraz will follow in footsteps of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’, says Petra Kvitova

Petra Kvitova has declared it is important for tennis that Carlos Alcaraz is going to “follow in the footsteps” of legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
The two-time Wimbledon champion revealed she likes the Spaniard “a lot” and described the 20-year-old’s playing style as “beautiful.”
Alcaraz defeated Alex De Minaur in the final of the Queen’s Club Championships last week to claim his first career title on grass. Victory at the ATP 500 tournament saw him overtake Novak Djokovic to regain the world No 1 ranking.
The 2022 US Open champion is the top seed at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships, which begin on Monday. The Spaniard will face Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the opening round at the All England Club.
Kvitova expressed her admiration for Alcaraz’s game and named Federer and Nadal as the players she feels he will mirror most closely in his career.
“I watch, I like Alcaraz a lot. He’s playing great tennis, the way he moves, the things he returns. And in what a way! It’s something beautiful, he can serve, he can volley,” said the Czech in an interview with Flashscore.
“The game he’s showing is really great and I’m glad someone like that is going to follow in the footsteps of Federer and Nadal. That’s important for the whole of tennis.”
The WTA world No 9 discussed the players she feels are the favourites to win both the women’s and men’s singles events at Wimbledon.
“I think [Aryna] Sabalenka has a great chance. Not only with the way she plays and the style she has, but also with the way she is mentally handling everything right now,” explained the 33-year-old.
“[Elena] Rybakina will have a tough time because she is defending her title, everyone will be watching her, but she’s got the game and she’s been playing great tennis all season, so for me, she’s a big favourite. And among the men, I think it will be Novak Djokovic.”
Kvitova, who won the WTA 500 grass-court tournament in Berlin without dropping a set last week, also claimed she is not placing any expectations on herself for Wimbledon.
“I don’t have any [ambitions], I’m going to play my best and hope my health holds out. Last year I finished in the third round, when the first rounds are always the hardest. I just want to be there as long as possible, it’s my favourite tournament, so I’m going to enjoy it.”
The Czech, who has been ranked as high as world No 2, won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014.