TENNIS
Connors predicts how many Grand Slam events Alcaraz will win
Jimmy Connors talked about the Spanish star’s potential after winning the Wimbledon title against Novak Djokovic.
Carlos Alcaraz is 20 years old, but he plays like he’s 30. The young Murcia-bred talent won his second Grand Slam tournament two weeks ago, when he lifted the Wimbledon title by defeating Novak Djokovic in the final.
While most players would just collapse after losing the first set against the Serb on grass and in a major final, Alcaraz showed how mentally and physically strong he is by coming back to tie the final and eventually win the contest in five exciting, hard-fought sets.
Juan Carlos Ferrero’s pupil had already made history before playing at the All England Club facilities, as he had previously won the Queen’s tournament, proving he had very little trouble switching from clay to grass.
Jimmy Connors predicts how great Alcaraz can be
Taking into consideration how young Carlitos is, many have started predicting how many Grand Slam tournaments he can win.
One of them is tennis legend Jimmy Connors, who talked about it on an episode of the Advantage Connors podcast. But he also pointed out it will depend on how hungry Alcaraz will be over the years.
“If he [Alcaraz] plays 12 more years, that’s 48 Grand Slams. If he doesn’t get too full of himself, I’d say [he could win] 15. That is if he doesn’t think he doesn’t have to work hard and it’ll come easy. He needs to continue what he’s doing and looks like he will”.
Connors, who holds the record for most ATP singles titles won with a total of 109, also said that Alcaraz’s future will also depend on the other young talents that are already showing their quality and the potential ones that may break through in the tour shortly.
“There’ll be some young kids coming up now that will see him who are 17 or 18 who will believe that if he can do it, I can do it. He’s going to set the bench. It all depends on what comes behind him because he knows what’s in front of him. I don’t think he’s afraid of that”, he added.
Alcaraz is the youngest active ATP player to have won a Grand Slam event and has already won 12 ATP titles. In New York, he will be looking to defend his US Open crown and win the third major of his career.