LIVE
...

Follow us on

News

Tim Henman has spotted a change in Carlos Alcaraz over 2026 which he loves to see

Add as preferred source on Google

Tim Henman, much like most of the tennis world, has loved watching Carlos Alcaraz this season.

After all, he has been the dominant force on the ATP Tour over the first three months, yet to lose a match and currently on track to win a third-straight tournament.

Cam Norrie is the next to try to halt his streak, but expectations are low.

Even Henman has admitted he is worried about his chances, particularly after Alcaraz stated that he wanted revenge against Norrie, having lost their most recent meeting.

Tim Henman loves what he’s seen from Carlos Alcaraz

Speaking live on Sky Sports, court-side after watching Carlos Alcaraz’s emphatic victory over Ruud, Henman was once again complimentary of the positive attitude the Spaniard brings to every match.

And, looking ahead to his next match against Norrie, the British pundit was concerned for his compatriot, noting: “He just has a great spirit about him. He is an unbelievable competitor, but there he is thinking about that next round already and the excitement and opportunity of playing Cam.

Can Carlos Alcaraz win MORE Grand Slams than Novak Djokovic? 🤔

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic at the 2026 Australian Open

“Cam beat him in Paris in the indoor tournament at the end of last year, so that is good for Norrie.

“But you see Alcaraz in this type of form and it’s going to be a tough afternoon for Cam Norrie.”

Henman then pointed out the change he’s noticed Alcaraz has made in 2026, adding: “I think there is an element of maturity and experience of being on tour. When you have all those shots in your repertoire and he is a showman, he wants to be out there hitting all those shots.

“That’s where sometimes he can play the wrong shot. But I am seeing it less and less. Today was a good example. Yes, he hit a couple of ridiculous drop volleys, a couple of incredible forehands where it was 110mph plus.

“But one, he made the shots, and two, he was up 40-0 so they were at the right time. That’s what we love to see.

Do you believe Carlos Alcaraz is already the greatest tennis player of all time?

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup in the locker room after winning the Men's Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day 15 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 02, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

“We don’t want him to lose that flair but it’s about getting the win and that is what Alcaraz is certainly doing in 2026.”

How Carlos Alcaraz’s win streak compares to the best of all time

Whilst Alcaraz’s start to the season has been sensational, he is still a long way away from a win streak that comes anywhere near the greatest of all time.

It is Bjorn Borg who currently holds that title, having won 49 straight matches during 1978.

Then, from 1979 to 1980, he conjured up another streak of 48 wins.

RankNameStreakStartEnd
1.Bjorn Borg49Davis Cup 1978US Open 1878
2.Bjorn Borg48Davis Cup 1979Nations Cup 1980
3.Guillermo Vilas46Kitzbuhel 1977Aix en Provence 1977
4.Ivan Lendl44Madrid 1981La Quinta 1982
5.Novak Djokovic43Davis Cup 2010Roland Garros 2011
Top 5 ATP win streaks of all time

Djokovic’s 43-match winning run, from 2010 into 2011, remains the most contemporary example from the 21st century, with Roger Federer having also won 41 between 2006 and 2007.

Alcaraz has currently won 15 matches in a row. That is not enough to even see him enter the top-50 greatest winning streaks in ATP Open Era history.