WTA stars Naomi Osaka and Paula Badosa have heaped praise on teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz, who has whon three titles so far this year.
Osaka has spoken this year about examining the games of Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios to improve her tennis. But she has also been excited by Alcaraz’s rise.
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“You know it’s funny, I don’t know if I’m going to be blasted for saying this, but I feel like he’s genuinely made everyone excited about the ATP and I haven’t seen that in a very long time,” Osaka said.
“I’m not even really thinking about his age, like every time someone brings up his age, I’m like, ‘Oh wow, I forget, that’s so cool’.
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“I think just his game style, just how pumped he is, I feel like I’m watching [him] learn with every tournament.
“I don’t know what his ranking was last year here, but I’ve watched almost every tournament that he’s played, the US Open when he played [Stefanos] Tsitsipas and just to see the growth I think is really exciting for everyone.”
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Alcaraz’s countrywoman, World No. 2 Badosa, was quick to praise the 18-year-old ahead of the Madrid Open, where they both will be competing.
“Of course Carlos is insane. Sometimes in press, especially in Spanish press, I’m asked whether I have some advice for Carlos. And maybe he has to tell me something and advise!” Badosa said.
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“Because when I was 18 years old I was doing completely different things than him. So I think he’s doing everything very good.”
Alcaraz’s results speak for themselves — he won the ATP 1000 Miami Open and two ATP 500 tournaments (Rio and Barcelona). The Spaniard broke into the top-10 for the first time earlier this month.
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“He’s a humble guy. He’s very nice and deserves everything he’s doing,” Badosa said.
“He’s gong to be even better and that’s going to be good for world tennis, but even more for Spanish players.”
