When Carlos Alcaraz burst onto the tennis scene as a teenager, he quickly became a global sensation.
Yet now, as Alcaraz stormed to his 200th ATP win at just 21-years-old, it feels the tennis public have lost a slight sense of appreciation.
The Spaniard has already reached a pinnacle which most players will spend their entire careers working towards; and yet, he’s only getting started.
It feels as though he’s regarded like an established veteran on tour; someone that’s done it all and left a significant imprint on the sport.
It’s only when you pause, and consider that he’ll be Novak Djokovic’s current age in 2040, that the reality does set in.
Having just turned the legal drinking age in America, Alcaraz is already the face of men’s tennis and holds several records that may remain unbroken for generations.
He’s the youngest man to become world number one (19 years, 4 months), end the year number one, and to win a major on all three surfaces (21 years, 1 month).
And despite having levelled up again in 2024 – and continuing to break records at a historic pace – it feels the tennis public has become desensitised to his greatness.
If a 21-year-old entered the upcoming Australian Open and became a maiden Grand Slam winner, it would be enormous; as Sinner’s victory was earlier this season.
Yet, in a few months’ time, Alcaraz will look to complete the career Grand Slam at that very age and become just the fifth man in the open era to achieve the feat.
And while he will continue to set and surpass records, Alcaraz’s four years on the ATP tour have already been enough for him to match the title counts of many tennis greats.
With 15 trophies at the top level – and possibly another to come this week – Alcaraz sits alongside the likes of Marat Safin, Tommy Haas, and Wayne Ferreira, with Stan Wawrinka and his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, in reach at this week’s China Open.
And while trophies are undeniable sign of achievement, Alcaraz’s admiration off the court is unprecedented for someone of his age.
Despite being a junior himself just five years ago, the Spaniard is already among the most idolised players in tennis.
Countless children and teenagers are expressing the Spaniard as their tennis inspiration, including many of The First Serve’s junior guests in 2024.
Among them, 15-year-old Aussie Sara Nikolic, who told Brett Phillips on this Monday’s show that “Alcaraz is [her] idol” and the player which she models her game around.
It’s quite remarkable to have juniors idolising a figure merely six years older, but it perfectly reflects the standing and respect which the four-time major champion has rapidly established.
Ultimately, tennis is a global sport with thousands of professional players, and it naturally takes decades to create and build a legacy.
But Alcaraz has already formed a status like few before him and boasts one of the best resume’s we’ve seen in recent times; despite his career only being one quarter complete.
So, most importantly, continue to appreciate his greatness as it unfolds, as this now 21-year-old from Murcia continues to hunt down all the records set before him.
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