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Dusan Lajovic sees some similarities between Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal as he has tipped the 18-year-old to soon contend for the biggest titles soon. Lajovic beat Marton Fucsovics in five sets in his Melbourne opener to set up an Australian Open second round clash against Alcaraz.
Alcaraz is one of the most exciting prospects in a long time and some have called him the new Nadal. "Great mover, solid off both wings, likes to hit forehand from the backhand side as well. Reminds me of Rafa a bit. He will contend for the biggest title soon," Lajovic said of Alcaraz, as revealed by Sasa Ozmo.
Alcaraz vows to stay humble
“it’s really important to stay humble,” Alcaraz told Tennis.com. “This is what I thought when I was outside. Live with the top players, learn from them, be with them in the tour.
This is what I wanted when I was younger, and it’s amazing”. Alcaraz is just 18 but his level and physical strength is already at a great level. “I saw him practicing with people when he was 14, 15, 16, with people that have such a level and he was adapting his game to that game, so it was very normal to see him play at that level,” Alcaraz's coach Juan Carlos Ferrero said of Alcaraz’s results last year.
“I think he adapted very well and very fast to the tour. Already, he knows every single player on the tour, shakes hands and says hello to anyone”. Alcaraz thinks being competitive is what he and Nadal have in common.
“I think like Rafa, I have the competition in my veins, let’s say that. I’m a competitive guy. With Djokovic, I will say the physical part. I think we are elastic guys, both of us. And with Federer, let’s say the aggressive part of the game. He does a lot of drop shots, go to the net, serve and volley,” Alcaraz explained.