Carlos Alcaraz is considered more and more the heir of Rafael Nadal despite the fact that the youngster has a different style. Many think that Carlito will be the next “big one” in tennis.
American legend and 4-time champion Jim Courier also has big faith in Alcaraz. Jim thinks that Carlito has the potential to be the first teenager after Nadal (French Open 2005) to conquer a slam.
He commented on Tennis Channel:
“I think Alcaraz has the potential to do it in the next four Majors. All signs point towards opportunity for him; it wouldn’t surprise me.”
Carlito is now in Miami, facing either Fucsovic or Giron in his first match.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2022
Now ranked no.16 (career-high), Carlos played his last match on the 19th of March when he was overcome by world no.3 Rafael Nadal 6-4 4-6 6-3 in the semifinal in Indian Wells (draw).
Until now, during this year Carlos has achieved a compiled 12-2 record. This year, The Spaniard clinched 1 title in Rio de Janeiro.
Rafael Nadal in 2022
Ranked no.3, the Spaniard played his last contest on the 20th of March when he lost to world no.13 Taylor Fritz 6-3 7-6(5) in the final in Indian Wells (draw).
This season the Spaniard owns a 20-1 win-loss record. The Spaniard clinched 3 titles in 2022 in Melbourne, at the Australian Open and in Acapulco. Nadal got to the final in Indian Wells.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal faced off only 2 times. Their current record is 2-0 for Nadal. Before, the last time they fought against each other, Rafael Nadal won 6-4 4-6 6-3 in the semifinal in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) on the 19th of March 2022.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.