Nick Kyrgios predicts how many Grand Slam titles Carlos Alcaraz will win and questions Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz claimed his fourth Grand Slam title as he retained his Wimbledon with a scintillating display against Novak Djokovic and now the debate has been ignited over how many titles he will win in his career.
Alcaraz claimed a 6-2 6-2 7-6(4) victory over Djokovic, as the young Spaniard made his legendary rival look old on a Grand Slam stage for the first time in his career.
Now the debate is on to guess how many Grand Slam titles 21-year-old Alcaraz might win in his career, with 2022 Wimbledon runner up Nick Kyrgios telling the BBC that he could dream of getting close to Djokovic’s incredible record of 24 Grand Slams.
“Alcaraz will carry our sport a long way. He will be the face of this sport alongside (Jannik) Sinner,” said Kyrgios.
“The biggest enemy he’ll have is his body. How healthy can he stay? I think he’ll have upwards of 15 slams for sure. He could look to get to Novak’s record. It’s possible, but it depends on his fitness.”
Kyrgios also gave his verdict on the final against Djokovic as he suggested it was a one-sided contest.
“I think last year Alcaraz started really slow but this year was a totally different story, he came out with a lot of energy and there was a 15-minute first game and he got the break and that really set the tone,” stated the big-serving Australian.
“I think Novak started panicking a little bit with the game plan, started serving and volleying, he went to the net probably more times today than he had previously in any other match (in the tournament).
“Djokovic has beaten every great of the game – Federer, Nadal, playing his game style, so coming out today with something completely different was definitely odd.
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“Whether it was him not being able to go physically the way he wanted – maybe he wanted to keep points short. But as I said, Alcaraz was feeling it a little too much.”
He also pondered whether Djokovic would ever win another Grand Slam title as he added: “We don’t know if there is another Slam there for Novak now. He will have a big mountain to climb with Alcaraz and Sinner around. And I also think I can come back and challenge for a Slam if I can get fit.”
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash was also gushing in his praise for Alcaraz, as he gave his views to BBC radio.
“Alcaraz is not just all about power,” said the 1987 Wimbledon king.
“He’s super fast of course, he’s putting pressure on Novak to hit the lines. It felt like Novak’s legs weren’t going, maybe all these matches after surgery he didn’t have the complete spring in his step.
“But the power took Novak by surprise, Alcaraz barely missed a forehand when we’ve seen him missing them all tournament really. It’s not what we expected, we were hoping for a great five-set match, but we saw just about perfection on Centre Court from Alcaraz today and that has to be admired.
“I’ll go away thinking Alcaraz brought his match when it really mattered. It was all round a perfect performance, almost a breath-taking type of tennis he did on the biggest stage there is.”
Four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist echoed the views of all who watched the one-sided final, as he suggested Alcaraz was always in control.
“Alcaraz always had the answers. The first set wasn’t even close,” said Henman.
“When he needed it most in the tie-break, it was like Djokovic blinked almost.
“The way Alcaraz has played at Roland Garros and at Wimbledon, I don’t think he’s been at his best at times. The intensity and the focus he showed today, there was no let off.”
