Carlos Alcaraz ‘for sure’ can beat Nadal and Djokovic at Roland Garros, says former ATP star
Former world number eight Marcos Baghdatis has claimed that Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will be the leading contenders for the French Open, but he believes Carlos Alcaraz “for sure” can beat them.
The 18-year-old Alcaraz has made incredible strides in 2022, with the man from Murcia becoming the youngest player in Tour history to win an ATP 500 event and also becoming the youngest ever Miami Open champion.
Alcaraz has continued his great form on clay too, as the 19-year-old claimed back-to-back titles for the first time in his career in Barcelona and Madrid.
The victory in Madrid earlier this month meant that Alcaraz is now sitting at a career high sixth in the world as he looks to “rest and recover” ahead of only his second French Open appearance.
En-route to his historic Madrid Masters title, Carlos Alcaraz beat both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic for the first time and as a result became the first man to ever defeat Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal back-to-back at the same tournament on clay.
Reflecting on the teen sensation’s form on clay, Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis claimed that Carlos Alcaraz “for sure” could beat the Grand Slam legends at the Paris Slam, however did feel that on grass Nadal and Djokovic were a level above.
The Cypriot, in a recent interview, told reporters, “For sure, Carlos [Alcaraz]…[Novak] Djokovic and [Rafael] Nadal will be there until the end of this year too… It’s tough to say that [the other players] will defeat Nadal or Djokovic, in five sets – it’s very difficult.
“The only one that maybe can – depending on how long he can last mentally and physically in a grand slam – is [Carlos] Alcaraz, for sure on clay. At Wimbledon I see Djokovic, and the other tournaments I see Djokovic and Rafael [Nadal].”
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