Andy Roddick makes Carlos Alcaraz Grand Slam prediction in Agassi, McEnroe, Connors verdict

Ewan West 05 Mar 2024 2:17 PM

Carlos Alcaraz looks on at the Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz reacts during a match

Andy Roddick has proclaimed that he does not think there is a “ceiling” for Carlos Alcaraz, but feels the expectations placed on the Spanish star should be “reset a little bit.”

The former world No 1 believes Alcaraz will end his career in the “range” of tennis greats Andre Agassi, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors for Grand Slam titles won as a minimum.

Alcaraz, who will turn 21 in May, has already secured two major titles in his short career to date, having prevailed at the 2022 US Open and the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.

The Spaniard overcame Casper Ruud in four sets in the final at Flushing Meadows to secure his maiden major — a triumph that saw him become the youngest world No 1 in ATP history.

The 20-year-old then defeated Novak Djokovic in an thrilling five-set title match at Wimbledon in July last year to become the first player to down the legendary Serb in a completed match at All England Club since 2016.

The world No 2 has experienced a more challenging spell since Wimbledon and has reached just one final in the 10 events he has played following his victory.

Alcaraz beat his great countryman and idol Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-4, (14-12) in the Netflix Slam exhibition match in Las Vegas on Sunday in his first outing since suffering an ankle injury at the Rio Open last month.

The two-time major winner will next compete at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells, where he is the defending champion, having seen off Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 final. The high-profile event in the Californian desert will run from March 6-17.

A look at defending champion Carlos Alcaraz’s possible path to glory at the Indian Wells Open.#Tennis #TennisParadise #ATP #CarlosAlcaraz pic.twitter.com/0LALGmE3f4

— Tennis365 (@tennis365com) March 5, 2024

Speaking on the broadcast for the Netflix Slam, Roddick gave his thoughts on the potential of Alcaraz and backed him to match, or even surpass, the major tallies of three American tennis icons.

“It was obvious from when he came and won his first major at the US Open. Won a bunch of five-set night matches, down a match point, somehow negotiates his way through that draw and takes it,” the 2003 US Open winner said.

“And this is the one (winning Wimbledon in 2023) that put him on an absolute global stage. Taking out the king, Novak, in his own backyard at Wimbledon in five sets.

“Just an unreal effort. You feel like he’s just getting started and it’s like he won two Slams just for practice. I can’t wait to see the rest of his career.

“I don’t think there is one for him (a ceiling). The Big 3 have renegotiated what a ceiling looks like. Before he even won a Slam, people were asking me, ‘Is he going to win 10?’ That’s a little ridiculous when you have names like [Andre] Agassi, [John] McEnroe, and [Jimmy] Connors, who won 8-7.

“But I think he’s going to be in that range for sure, as bottom. And I think he has the potential to maybe get double digits. Listen, we have to reset our expectations a little bit.”

Agassi and Connors both won eight Grand Slam singles titles, while McEnroe claimed seven.