"I wouldn't predict that for anyone" - Andy Murray dials down abnormal expectations of Carlos Alcaraz winning 20+ Grand Slams
Andy Murray hailed Carlos Alcaraz after the latter's triumph at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters but refrained from setting unbelievable expectations of any player reaching 20 Grand Slam titles.
Last Sunday, Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev in the final of the BNP Paribas Open to clinch his eighth ATP singles title. He also replaced Novak Djokovic as the World No. 1. When the 19-year-old started winning big titles in 2022, quite a few experts and fans drew comparisons between him and the Big 3.
In a press conference after crashing out of the 2023 Miami Open in the first round, Murray remarked that Alcaraz was ahead of most players that have come in the last few years. However, the Brit added that he didn't expect anyone to win 20 Majors, an extraordinary feat achieved by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic.
"He's, obviously, so far in his young career, doing better than most of the guys that have come in the last eight to 10 years," Andy Murray said. "I know a lot of people are expecting everyone to win 20-plus Grand Slams now, like that's sort of normal. I wouldn't predict that for anyone. I would imagine he would be right at the top of the game for as long as he wants to play."
The three-time Grand Slam winner praised Alcaraz's "exciting" game style, particularly his athleticism, big serve, and on-court movement.
"He has an excellent game, an all-around game that I think will translate well onto all surfaces. He's not the biggest guy, but he can serve big. He's an unbelievable mover, great athlete, has a lot of variety in his game," he said.
"Takes the ball on a lot. That's something that you hope he keeps that. I know from experience that it's a bit easier playing that way when you're 18, 19, and there's not sort of any scar tissue there. I hope that he maintains that style of play because it's exciting to watch," he added.
"I was hoping to do much better here" - Andy Murray after early exit at Miami Open 2023
After numerous impressive performances so far this season, Andy Murray faced a first-round exit at the 2023 Miami Open. He lost 6-4, 7-5 to World No. 76 Dusan Lajovic of Serbia.
With the clay season coming up, the 35-year-old will soon head to Spain. He stated that he was hoping to go deep into the second ATP Masters tournament of the year.
"I will start training on the clay soon. Where I do that, I'm not sure," Murray said. "I'm going to Spain. My family is going there on the 30th, so I'll join them there. We're going to do some training in the south of Spain for a week or so. I'm not sure what I will do before then."
"Obviously, I was hoping to do much better here. So, yeah, whether I stay and train here on the clay for a few days before heading to Spain, I'm not sure."
Andy Murray has won the Miami title twice, defeating Novak Djokovic in the final in 2009 and David Ferrer in the 2013 final.