‘Rafael Nadal suffers, Roger Federer wasn’t smiling – Carlos Alcaraz has fun’, says former world No 12
Former world No 12 Paolo Bertolucci has declared Carlos Alcaraz “has fun on court”, while asserting that Rafael Nadal “suffers” and Roger Federer “wasn’t smiling.”
The Italian revealed Alcaraz reminds him of Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho, who was renowned for his skill and ability to entertain.
Alcaraz has been lauded for possessing similar qualities in his young career, with many finding his complete game and aggressive style fascinating to watch.
The 20-year-old Spaniard defeated 23-time major champion Novak Djokovic in an epic five-set final at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships last month.
The world No 1 is now a two-time Grand Slam winner, having claimed the 2022 US Open title with a four-set victory over Casper Ruud.
In an interview with Jot Down, Bertolucci joined the list of observers to compare Alcaraz to the ‘Big Three’ of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer.
“He is the great heir of the ‘Big Three’ because there was no one in their twenties who played tennis like that. He is complete. He looks great on any surface. Let’s say it’s about prototype of the tennis player of the future,” said the Italian.
“Now, it is not known where he will arrive because that is where intangibles such as physicality, the competition he may have, or the hunger for victory, come into play.
“Everything seems to indicate that he will continue writing pages and pages of tennis successes just because he has things from the ‘Big Three.’ He is a complete phenomenon. He is complete physically and technically.
“I’ve seen a lot of tennis, and I didn’t see anyone like that at twenty years old. He does everything – serves well, dominates the rest on the forehand, has a great backhand, goes up to the net and liquidates with a good smash, makes great drops. Everything very fast. In addition, he is resistant.”
The 72-year-old, who won the Davis Cup with Italy in 1976, discussed Alcaraz’s enjoyment of tennis and how long he could remain at the top of the game.
“Nadal suffers on the field. He is one of a kind, but he suffers. Federer was crystal clear technique, but he wasn’t smiling. Alcaraz has fun. He reminds me, in football, of Ronaldinho,” added Bertolucci.
“In ten years, I don’t see anyone who overshadows him. The Serbian (Djokovic) will retire in one or two years, I imagine. If Alcaraz respects his physique, he will be at the top for a decade”.
READ MORE: No new Big Three just yet as it’s only a Big One with Carlos Alcaraz dominating, saying Holger Rune
