Tennis icon John McEnroe has described Carlos Alcaraz as “electric” and “incredible” for tennis as he also labelled the Spanish star “the most fun to watch.”
Former world No 4 Tim Henman assessed that Alcaraz played “statement tennis” in his third round win against Sebastian Korda at the 2024 French Open.
Alcaraz delivered an impressive display to defeat world No 28 Korda 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-3 at Roland Garros on Friday to continue his bid for a maiden title at the Paris Grand Slam.
The world No 3 is looking to win a third Major to add to his triumphs at the 2022 US Open and the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.
The 21-year-old Spaniard will face 21st seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last 16 of the French Open on Sunday. Alcaraz achieved his best Roland Garros result to date by reaching the semi-finals last year, where he was beaten by eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
Following Alcaraz’s victory over Korda, McEnroe hailed the two-time Grand Slam champion for his entertaining style and complete skillset.
“Alcaraz is a unique individual,” the former world No 1 told Eurosport. “He’s exciting, the most fun to watch, most athletic, got more game than anyone I’ve ever seen [of someone] his age.
“The guy just turned 21, unbelievable that he can do anything. As a matter of fact, because he can do anything, sometimes he tries the extraordinary instead of the high-percentage shot.
“I think as his career moves along he’ll start to pull back that little bit because he talks about wanting to excite the crowd and give the crowd its money’s worth, and sometimes it may get in the way of winning the match easier than he would normally.
“I think he should have won the match the other day in straight sets but he sort of lost his way a little bit trying to do the spectacular, but I absolutely love watching this young kid play. He is electric, he is incredible for the game.”
Henman highlighted the potency of Alcaraz’s forehand in the match, given there had been concerns over the Spaniard’s right forearm injury heading into Roland Garros.
“It (Alcaraz’s forehand) is phenomenal,” Henman said. “There’s been a little bit of a question mark about his forearm but there was no question mark about his forehand today.
“One of the forehands he hit was 162km/h – that’s a joke. That’s as fast as some people serve. His forehand was absolutely brilliant and it wasn’t always the pace, he’s adding spin to the ball as well.
“I think as his career moves along he’ll start to pull back that little bit because he talks about wanting to excite the crowd and give the crowd its money’s worth, and sometimes it may get in the way of winning the match easier than he would normally.
“I think he should have won the match the other day in straight sets but he sort of lost his way a little bit trying to do the spectacular, but I absolutely love watching this young kid play. He is electric, he is incredible for the game.”
Henman highlighted the potency of Alcaraz’s forehand in the match, given there had been concerns over the Spaniard’s right forearm injury heading into Roland Garros.
“It (Alcaraz’s forehand) is phenomenal,” Henman said. “There’s been a little bit of a question mark about his forearm but there was no question mark about his forehand today.
“One of the forehands he hit was 162km/h – that’s a joke. That’s as fast as some people serve. His forehand was absolutely brilliant and it wasn’t always the pace, he’s adding spin to the ball as well.
