Carlos Alcaraz is a beautiful addition to the sport says Monica Seles

Tennis News

James Richardson
February 20, 2023

Former WTA World no 1 Monica Seles has lauded the impact on tennis made by Carlos Alcaraz in a breakout 2022 campaign.

Seles was speaking on the nomination of Alcaraz for the Breakthrough of the year gong at the Laureus World Sport Awards.

Alcaraz finished 2022 as the World no 1 having started the year ranked 32nd in the world.

Seles was impressed by the way that Alcaraz held his composure in pressure situations throughout a terrific season.

She believes that the young Spaniard is a captivating player who will win new fans for the sport.

Seles commended the 20-year-old for holding his own against players who are not just the best in the world right now but are in the discussion to be considered the greatest to ever hold a racket.

The nine-time Grand Slam winner believes that Alcaraz will also become a multiple Major winner in the future having claimed his first at the US Open in late 2022.

“The way he played in 2022… I’ve had a chance to watch him play in person at the Indian Wells tournament against Rafael Nadal and I was just blown away by his intensity and also how focused he was for being such a young age – and he was playing somebody that’s probably the most focused player our sport has had in Nadal,” Seles said.

“And then you know, followed him throughout the summer and then when he came to New York to play at the US Open, when he went all the way. I mean, it was just so impressive for somebody to have that mental strength, that physical strength in those long matches, the late matches at the US Open. And he just handled it with such ease. Like he is used to this, like he has done this before.

“So he’s just a beautiful addition to the sport and we’re going to be seeing him win again many more Grand Slam titles.”

Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek were also nominated for awards.

Seles lauded Swiatek’s skills and consistency on the WTA Tour.

She commented: “Sportswoman of the Year nominee Iga Swiatek, I mean, what can you say.

“Starting off the year outside of the top 20 and then entering, winning her second Grand Slam title at the French Open. As a former player, it’s sometimes, as crazy as it sounds, it’s easier to win the first one because you don’t have those expectations and that pressure on you. I think for her to win the second one and truly solidify how well she plays on that surface, was to me very impressive.”

Carlos Alcaraz