Carlos Alcaraz has been called the most exciting new talent on the ATP Tour after his stunning victory over No.3 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas at the US Open on Friday.
Alcaraz, still only 18, took the match to the Greek with an an aggressive play that included a big, big forehand.
Taking nothing away from Tsitsipas, but it was the young upstart who helped his nerve and won deciding-set tiebreak to go through.
“I am so excited about this player,” Mats Wilander told Eurosport.
“He started off on fire against Tsitsipas and then I thought he was dead in the fourth and the fifth set and then suddenly comes back and plays the most amazing tie-breaker.
“He has got guts, he has got heart, he has got a forehand that is actually bigger than Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“It’s absolutely crucial that Carlos has someone like Juan Carlos [Ferrero] coaching him because he needs someone who needs to say this won’t happen overnight, it didn’t even matter if he didn’t win the match against Stefanos Tsitsipas tonight.
“The goal is to be the best player you can be and that could be at 28 years old or 18 years old.
“I think it’s absolutely vital to have someone like Juan Carlos coaching you who understands the game and believes in you.”
Alcaraz, ranked 55, is the youngest player to beat a top three opponent at a major since Michael Chang, 17, defeated World No. 1 Ivan Lendl and Stefan Edberg at Roland Garros in 1989.
“This victory means a lot to me,” Alcaraz said. “It is the best match of my career. Beating Stefanos Tsitsipas is a dream come true.”
