Carlos Alcaraz ‘one of the chosen ones’, but ‘we should not make comparisons with Big Three’

Carlos Alcaraz has all the qualities to have a long-lasting and successful career, but he should not be compared with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer just yet, according to Roberto Bautista Agut.

The 20-year-old Alcaraz has made a mindboggling start to his tennis career as he won his maiden Grand Slam at the age of 19 at the 2022 US Open and in the process he became the youngest year-end No 1 in the ATP Rankings.

He followed it up with a second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon title in 2023 – defeating Djokovic in the final – and naturally there have been comparisons with the Big Three of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer following their two decades of dominance, especially at the majors.

And it is not only results and statistics that have been compared as many believe Alcaraz is a hybrid of the trio in terms of his style of play.

Meanwhile, Spanish tennis fans hope that Alcaraz will be the one to take over the mantle from Nadal, but Bautista Agut has cautioned against any comparisons, especially when it comes to the youngster “replacing” the 22-time Grand Slam winner.

“I think that talking about replacing Rafa is not fair on either of them. Rafa is going to have an unparalleled, brutal career, he is a special player…,” he told Marca.

“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 you have to do it [hard work]. Careers have to be managed well, work well and be well surrounded to do what Rafa, Federer and Djokovic have done.”

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic pays Carlos Alcaraz the ultimate tribute and makes bold Rafael Nadal prediction

Former world No 9 Bautista Agut was also asked about Nadal’s impending return to competitive tennis.

The former world No 1 played only four matches in 2023 as he struggled with a hip injury, but after undergoing surgery and an extensive rehabilitation programme, Nadal will make his comeback at the Brisbane International next week.

Asked if he could see Nadal winning another title at Roland Garros, the Spaniard replied: “I don’t know, but he has the knife between his teeth and he is going to put all his effort into having a good year, that’s for sure.

“I know him and I know how competitive he is. Then there are many factors, like what Carlos Moyá said the other day about adapting to competition, how his body responds after so many years of hard work…”