Author: Barkha Roy
Former tennis player Feliciano Lopez has made a bold prediction, claiming that rising star Carlos Alcaraz will take over the ATP Tour when tennis legend Novak Djokovic retires. The Spaniard Alcaraz, already recognized as one of the best players in the world, has been impressing fans and experts alike with his exceptional performance on Tour.
López’s belief in Alcaraz’s potential comes as no surprise, as he has been praising the young talent highly for some time. The Wimbledon final was a significant milestone for Alcaraz, as he beat Djokovic to secure his second Grand Slam trophy, adding to his previous triumph at the US Open last year.
In a conversation with Relevo, Lopez emphasized the quality of Djokovic and Alcaraz, considering them the two best players in the world at the moment. Although Djokovic currently has two Grand Slam titles this year and Alcaraz one, López predicts that the Spaniard will take over when Djokovic leaves the scene, assuming all other circumstances remain unchanged.
Reflecting on Alcaraz’s historic win at Wimbledon, López described it as a spectacular match and a significant step in the young player’s career. Although he didn’t proclaim the start of a new era, Lopez believes that beating Djokovic in a Wimbledon final shows Alcaraz’s enormous potential.
At just 20 years old, Alcaraz became the third youngest men’s champion at Wimbledon, and his maturity on and off the court set him apart. Feliciano Lopez credited Alcaraz’s remarkable conduct in difficult situations during the Wimbledon final, highlighting his courage in the critical moments of the match.
The Spaniard’s mental strength has been evident throughout his career, as he has always dealt with the pressure of being a top-level professional player. López, who retired from professional tennis in June 2023, spoke highly of Alcaraz’s ability to handle the intense scrutiny and expectations with ease.
Carlos Alcaraz has already achieved remarkable success on the ATP Tour, winning 12 titles, including two Grand Slams. His talent and work ethic drew comparisons with some of the sport’s greatest players. With the support of Lopez and many others, Alcaraz’s future on the Tour looks promising and he could well be the player to usher in a new era in tennis.