16-year-old teenage tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz in action during a match. (Getty Images)
There is a new tennis sensation in town and his name is Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz is a 16-year-old, teenage sensation from the El Palmar, Spain.
The teenager made his ATP debut at the ongoing 2020 Rio Open in Brazil on Tuesday after receiving a wild card for the singles draw.
Alcaraz, who idolizes fellow countrymen and World No.2 Rafael Nadal, however, believes he resembles another ATP legend – none other than tennis great Roger Federer.
The Spaniard also achieved something which Federer never did by winning his ATP Tour debut overcoming Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Alcaraz beat the veteran 7-6, 6-4, 7-6 in a gruelling debut game that lasted over three hours and 36 minutes. The match will forever be considered as a major confidence booster for the young Alcaraz, who defeated an opponent, who is almost 15 years older to him.
The upcoming sensation is coached by former World No.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, who also won a French Open title back in 2003.
Ferrero believes his ward has everything to make it big at the ATP tournaments.
“He’s only 16 and he’s just starting to travel the world. He has the level, the speed, he’s getting better physically every day, so I think he can be one of the best,” Ferrero said.
“I don’t know how high, but I think he can be up there in two or three years. I have a lot of experience with what he is going to deal with, [so] I’m giving him the best advice that I can,” Ferrero opined.
Alcaraz achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of 406 which he achieved after his victory over World No.42 Ramos-Vinolas.
The Spanish teenager is yet to make it big at the biggest stages but has 3 ITF titles to his name.
He achieved the rare feat of becoming the first Spanish player after Rafael Nadal in 2002 to defeat a top-200 player when he overcame Pedro Martinez, ranked 140 back then at the Murcia Challenger recently.
Also, Alcaraz, at 15-years of age defeated reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Jannik Sinner at a Challenger in Alicante.
He thus became the first player born in the year 2003 to win a match at that level.
Follow our dedicated tennis page for instant tennis news and update
