Carlos Alcaraz is enjoying yet another successful season, having clinched five more ATP titles, including a Grand Slam crown.
The Spaniard triumphed in Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo, and Rome before going back-to-back at Roland Garros and winning at Queen’s for the second time in his career.
Though Alcaraz does not want to be compared to the big three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, he is well on his way to emulating each of their Grand Slam tallies.
Tennis fans have been drawing parallels between the world number two and Nadal for years now.
While their games are similar in some aspects, Serena Williams‘ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, thinks Alcaraz excels in one area.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesPatrick Mouratoglou compares Carlos Alcaraz to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
Comparing the eras at an Ultimate Tennis Showdown event, Mouratoglou said: “It was a different type of tennis, with two players [Djokovic and Nadal] that are crazy consistent, building the points a lot.
“If you look at Alcaraz, for example, he’s more of a puncher, but I think it’s very interesting too because he can do so many different things and he does everything so well.
“He drop shots, he comes to the net, unbelievable power, unbelievable touch, he can return, volley, and he does all this in a match. That’s crazy.
“So that’s very interesting. It’s never boring; something happens all the time.
“Of course, he’s not as consistent as Rafa and Novak at their peak, or Sinner now, who’s incredibly consistent, but he’s more fiery.”
Carlos Alcaraz’s record against each member of the big three
Though Alcaraz and Federer never crossed paths on the ATP Tour, the 22-year-old has played against both Nadal and Djokovic in his career.
His first meeting with the king of clay came in the third round of the 2021 Madrid Open, which he lost in straight sets.
Alcaraz lost again to Nadal at Indian Wells in 2022, but finally overcame him in the Spanish capital later that season, with their head-to-head record finishing 2-1 in favour of the 22-time major champion.
With Djokovic, he also trails in their rivalry 5-3, having lost their last two clashes at the Australian Open and the Paris Olympics.
In Grand Slam finals, however, Alcaraz is undefeated against the Serb.