Carlos Alcaraz backed in Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer Grand Slam prediction by former No 1
Former doubles world No 1 Rennae Stubbs has declared she has “no doubt” Carlos Alcaraz could win 20 Grand Slam titles after his 2024 Wimbledon triumph.
Stubbs, a former coach of tennis legend Serena Williams, revealed she never expected to see a player as great as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, but suggested Alcaraz could fit this description.
Alcaraz delivered arguably the finest performance of his career so far to crush Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) in the Wimbledon final to defend his title at the grass-court Major.
The Spanish star, who celebrated his 21st birthday in May, has now secured four Grand Slam crowns and only needs the Australian Open to win each of the four Majors.
The world No 3 is just the second man to win his first four Grand Slam finals after Federer, who went on to win 20 Major titles. Djokovic holds the record with 24 Grand Slams, while Nadal is second on the all-time men’s list with 22.
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Alcaraz’s second Wimbledon victory has sparked debate over whether he could chase down the Grand Slam totals of the Big Three.
Stubbs, a tennis analyst and commentator, hailed Alcaraz after his Wimbledon title defence and assessed that he could catch Djokovic, Nadal and Federer.
“Wow Carlos Alcaraz is one special young talent! I never thought I would see a player as great as Novak, Rafa and Roger, but there is no doubt in my mind this kid actually might get to 20 as well,” wrote the Australian in a post on X.
“Just phenomenal! Novak Djokovic has set the bar so high and this kid is showing up for it.”
Following the final, Alcaraz expressed his ambition to “sit at the same table as the big guys”, but did not want to set a specific Grand Slam title target.
“I don’t know what is my limit. I don’t want to think about it,” said the 21-year-old in his press conference.
“I just want to keep enjoying my moment, just to keep dreaming. So let’s see if at the end of my career, it’s going to be 25, 30, 15, four. I don’t know. All I want to say is I want to keep enjoy, and let’s see what the future brings for me.
“I’m really happy with the work that I’m doing with my team. I’m really proud of myself, all the things that I’m doing great. I’m really proud of the people around my team.
“Everything we have done already has been unbelievable, an amazing journey so far. As I said, I really want to keep going, to keep improving, to keep growing up, try to keep winning. That’s all that matters to me right now.
“Obviously I’ve seen and I’ve heard all the stats that I am the youngest to win at Roland Garros and Wimbledon the same year, to win whatever. I honestly try not to think about it too much. It’s a really great start to my career, but I have to keep going.
“I have to keep building my path. At the end of my career, I want to sit at the same table as the big guys. That’s my main goal. That’s my dream right now.
“It doesn’t matter if I already won four Grand Slams at the age of 21. I really want to keep going. I will try to keep winning and end my career with a lot of them.”
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