"Carlos Alcaraz has a little bit of a way to go if he has to play both Nadal and Djokovic" - Mats Wilander on World No. 1's chances at French Open

Mats Wilander recently gave his verdict on World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz's chances at the upcoming 2023 French Open.

Alcaraz made a name for himself at the age of 19, winning his first Major at the US Open last year and becoming the World No. 1 player by defeating the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard also recently won the third Masters 1000 title of his career at Indian Wells.

Mats Wilander, in his conversation with Eurosport, claimed that Carlos Alcaraz will face a formidable challenge at the 2023 French Open. The 19-year-old will be competing against the two most dominant figures in the sport, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

"I wonder, with five sets for Alcaraz on a clay court: can he keep coming up with shot after shot, choice after choice. Most of them have to be right against Nadal and Djokovic on the clay court. That is nearly impossible," Wilander said.

"Obviously, as we haven't seen it done in the past [anyone beating Nadal and Djokovic in one French Open], at this moment, it is impossible," he added.

Wilander added that Carlos Alcaraz can still defeat Nadal and Djokovic despite the obstacles, but that he doesn't appear to have a great chance of winning the Major if he faces both players in his run to the title.

"But yeah, he can beat one of them, he can have a good day, and it could be either of them for sure. But he's got a little bit of a way to go to me to be a very big threat to win Roland-Garros if he has to play both Nadal and Djokovic," Wilander said.

---

"He's going to be one of the best players of all time" - Mats Wilander on Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz pictured with his Indian Wells trophy.

Mats Wilander also stated that Carlos Alcaraz will go on to become one of the best players of all time. After seeing the Spaniard's performance in the Indian Wells final against Daniil Medvedev, Wilander believes that he has what it takes to be a worthy World No. 1 player.

"He's going to be one of the best players of all time. He's going to be No. 1 in the world for many years during his career. Now, whether he stays there now or not I don't know, and I did not know that after watching the US Open last year," Wilander said.

"Now, after destroying Medvedev in the [Indian Wells] final, 100% I believe that Carlos Alcaraz has more than what it takes to be the No. 1 in the world because even I got to No. 1 in the world and he has literally everything. It's about match-ups for him," he added.

Alcaraz will next compete in the 2023 Miami Open to keep his Sunshine Double hopes alive. The Spaniard will start his campaign against Facundo Bagnis on March 24.