Chris Evert looks forward to Carlos Alcaraz facing Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in "incredibly electric" matches with French Open approaching
Chris Evert is excited at the prospect of Carlos Alcaraz facing either Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic, or both, sooner rather than later. Evert feels that Alcaraz playing Nadal and Djokovic at the French Open promises to produce electric matches that will even improve the games of the two tennis legends.
So far this season, none of the tournaments have featured Alcaraz in the same draw with either Nadal or Djokovic, let alone both. While Alcaraz missed the Australian Open, Djokovic missed out on Indian Wells and is also absent from Miami this week. Meanwhile, Nadal has not played since the Australian Open in January.
With the upcoming claycourt season set to feature the trio in almost all of the big events, including Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, in the build-up to the all-important French Open, world No. 1 Alcaraz could face off against Nadal and Djokovic on multiple occasions.
Evert is keenly looking forward to such a possibility, particularly at the 2023 French Open in May-June.
"I look forward, as a fan, to the matches where Carlos plays Rafa - I mean, how would you like to see them play on clay at the French Open, and Carlos plays Djokovic?" Chris Evert told Eurosport.
Evert believes these matches will see all three players raise their levels even higher than before as Alcaraz's talent will force Nadal and Djokovic to up the ante.
"I think those matches are going to be incredibly electric and we're going to see an even higher level of tennis. So if anything, he will even improve their games, maybe because he's such a big talent," the American great added.
Alcaraz has already beaten both players in the past, securing wins over Nadal and Djokovic in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, en route to the 2022 Madrid Masters title.
"Look at Nadal winning Wimbledon, why can't Carlos?" - Chris Evert feels Carlos Alcaraz is an all-surface player
While Carlos Alcaraz has already shown his prowess on clay-courts and hard-courts, he is yet to produce a similar level on grass, having not made it past the fourth round at Wimbledon in his first two attempts. However, Chris Evert feels that Alcaraz is a multi-surface player and it is only a matter of time before he contends for the Wimbledon title as well.
Evert highlighted Nadal's journey to convey the same, as many doubted Nadal's skills on grass before the Spanish tennis legend won two Wimbledon titles.
"He is a multi-surface guy," Evert said of Carlos Alcaraz. "I see him doing great on grass. I mean, look at Nadal winning Wimbledon. Why can't Carlos? That's obvious to me, the fact that on any surface he can excel and he can win major titles."
With Nadal and Djokovic both missing out on the Miami Open and Alcaraz having just won the Indian Wells title, the 19-year-old is the clear favorite to win the 2023 Miami Open and thus successfully defend his title there. Alcaraz will face either Felipe Meligeni Alves or Facundo Bagnis in his first match in Miami later this week.