'Unbelievable' Carlos Alcaraz is a combination of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, says former doubles World No. 1 Rennae Stubbs
Former Doubles World No. 1 Rennae Stubbs has showered Carlos Alcaraz with praise, calling him a combination of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz won the 2023 BNP Paribas Open title on Sunday (March 19) with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 win against Daniil Medvedev in the final. He did not lose a set in six Indian Wells matches and returned to the top of the ATP rankings thanks to his trophy triumph.
The 19-year-old Spaniard is the ninth and youngest man to win the Sunshine Double — Indian Wells and Miami Open. He joined compatriot Rafael Nadal as the only players to win at least three Masters 1000 titles as a teenager.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs spoke highly of Alcaraz and praised him for the manner of his win against Medvedev.
"He literally made Medvedev look terrible. He was overpowering Daniil Medvedev. This is the thing that I really noticed about Alcaraz. He would be happy to rally and not really go for it. He hit one back and two backhands and then he would crush one backhand and it would literally push Medvedev backwards, where he couldn't control the ball. He's literally overpowering Daniil Medvedev, which never happens. That just shows you how great he is at changing the pace of the ball and how hard he hits the ball and how athletic he is. His variety is off the charts," she said.
Four-time doubles Grand Slam winner Stubbs opined that Alcaraz will make those around him better athletes by forcing them to raise their game as Nadal, Djokovic and Federer have done for more than 20 years now.
"Just like Rafa, just like Roger and Novak, he's gonna make everyone better because he made Medvedev look terrible. And by that I mean Medvedev has not lost a match in three ornaments, comes in here not looking like he can lose to anybody, right?"
Explaining the similarities between Alcaraz and the Big 3, Stubbs said:
"He is like a combination of the Big 3, literally. He is the characteristics of all three. He comes forward and wants to come into the net and finish points off, like Roger. He has the spin on the forehand and the flatness of the backhand and the flexibility in the speed around the court, like Novak. And he has the tenacity and that sort of drive and desire and Frankly looks like happiness, like Nadal."
Carlos Alcaraz set to begin Miami Open title defense, learns his path to securing Sunshine Double
Buoyed by his triumph in Indian Wells, Carlos Alcaraz will next begin his Miami Open title defense in a confident fashion. He will be gunning to have another successful tournament as he needs to complete the Sunshine Double to remain at the top of the ATP rankings.
Alcaraz will begin his Miami campaign against either Argentine Facundo Bagnis or a qualifier. Then, he could face former World No. 1 and two-time Miami champion Andy Murray in the third round and in-form American Tommy Paul in the fourth round.
The 19-year-old could take on ninth seed Taylor Fritz or seventh seed Holger Rune in the quarterfinals and Jannik Sinner in the semifinals.