Wimbledon 2023 witnessed a new champion of a grass court, the 20-year-old Spaniard considered a mix of the Big 3 (Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic) became the third from his country to conquer the English court. His achievements gave the world of Tennis a new question to be the talk of the town. Can Carlos Alcaraz continue this dominance and take the mantle as the next big thing?
Background
At the Real Sociedad Club de Campo de Murcia (Royal Society Murciashire Club), the Spaniard with 12 ATP singles titles and 4 Master 1000 titles began playing tennis. To study the man who won the US Open and French Open in his career, he later transferred to Juan Carlos’s academy in 2018. This moment changed the young boy’s life and turned him into a player that challenged the best players of his time.
Hype
A player who reached the highest ranking of 22 in the junior circuit is now considered the next big thing in the sport by multiple tennis enthusiasts and sports platforms.
The youngster first caught the eye when he defeated Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in two consecutive matches and later went on to win the Madrid Open 2022. The Spaniard has bagged 2 Grand Slam titles since then and has shown hunger for more titles as well.
Carlos Alcaraz might be the one dominating the post-Big-3 Era.
Will Alcaraz continue this dominance in the US Open?
The major event which can answer the question of Alcaraz’s mantle-carrying ability is the US Open 2023 where the world No.1 will be defending his title for the first time. Being a “Big Thing” in sport requires consistency and if Alcaraz can bag a second consecutive US Open title, there won’t be any doubt left of him taking on the target of 23 grand slams of Novak Djokovic.
The biggest hurdle for Alcaraz at the tournament will be the G.O.A.T. himself. After fighting Alcaraz till the very last set in the Wimbledon final, the Serbian will come prepared with a mentality to take revenge in the US Open. Seemingly making Tennis enthusiasts wait eagerly to witness another incredible grand slam final in September 2023.
The Future
When asked about his goals for the rest of the year now that he has already won a Slam in an interview with L’Équipe, the 20-year-old responded, “To win a second.”
The World No.1 has also shown his ambition to team up with fellow countryman and legend Rafael Nadal in Paris Olympics and win a medal while talking to Spain’s radio COPE in another interview.
Being already named among the greats like Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg, Mats Wilander, and Rafa Nadal for winning multiple grand slams before the age of 21, if Alcaraz continue this dominance which he showed in the Wimbledon 2023, he will undoubtedly acquire the title of “the next big thing.”
