Andy Murray on Carlos Alcaraz: ‘People expect him to win 20 Majors’

Carlos Alcaraz took the ATP throne away from Novak Djokovic after Indian Wells. The Spaniard lifted the title in the desert to add 1000 ATP points to his tally and pass the Serb. Andy Murray praised a teenager, calling him a great athlete and the best upcoming player in the past ten years. Andy hailed Carlos’ all-around game, quickness and ability to constantly go for massive shots. The Briton avoided bold predictions about the Spaniard and did not want to attach 20-time Major titles to his name; however, Andy expects to see Carlos at the top as long as he plays. The young gun kicked off the 2022 season from just outside the top-30, playing well and cracking the top-10 by the end of April! Alcaraz claimed his first Masters 1000 title in Mami, followed by another in Madrid in May. Carlos became the first teenager with a Major crown after Rafael Nadal, winning the US Open and slowing down for the rest of the season.

Andy Murray praised Carlos Alcaraz and his game.

Carlos experienced two injuries and missed the ATP Finals and the Australian Open at the start of 2023. He returned to action in February and conquered Buenos Aires before reaching the Rio de Janeiro final. Carlos again struggled with a leg injury in the title clash against Cameron Norrie, recovering and making a fresh start in Indian Wells. The Spaniard was a player to beat in the desert, beating six rivals in straight sets to become the second teenager with three Masters 1000 crowns after Rafael Nadal. Alcaraz left an in-form Daniil Medvedev far behind in the final, losing only five games and sealing the deal in 70 minutes to start his second reign on the ATP throne. 

“Carlos has an excellent all-around game that translates well onto every surface. He is not the biggest guy, but his serve is a big weapon. Carlos is an unbelievable mover and a great athlete. He has a lot of variety in his game and goes for massive shots. I hope Carlos maintains that style because it’s exciting to watch. He has done better than most of the guys his age for the past ten years, and I know people expect him to win 20 Majors. I would not predict that for anyone, but I can see Carlos at the top of his game as long as he plays,” Andy Murray said.