Carlos Alcaraz "true heir to the throne" with Rafael Nadal "fading out," suggests sports journalist

Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz is the deserving heir to the tennis throne after the big three, believes American sports blogger Eric Hubbs.

Alcaraz, 20, had a breakthrough season in 2022, where he clinched his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open and became the youngest-ever year-end ATP World No. 1. He also became the only player to beat Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on consecutive days at the 2022 Madrid Open.

The Spaniard has continued his form in 2023, despite missing the 2023 Australian Open due to injury. Alcaraz bounced back strongly, picking up four titles this year in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, and Madrid. He has lost only thrice this year and heads into the French Open as the top seed, his first No. 1 seeding at a Grand Slam.

Tennis was dominated by the big three- Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic for nearly 20 years, with a total of 64 Grand Slam singles titles between them.

With Federer retired and Nadal’s prolonged struggle with injury, it seemed like Djokovic would finish far ahead of his peers. However, Eric Hubbs is elated that Carlos Alcaraz is there to challenge the Serb.

“It is nice cuz Rafa is fading out here, whether this is his last one or you don't know how many more tournaments he plays at this point," Hubbs said on the Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast. "But it is nice that there is a true heir to the throne here.

“Because you know, you thought for a little bit, with Federer bowing out and Medvedev kind of like lost his mental game a little bit once he collapsed to Rafa. Is Novak just gonna blow through these guys and end up with 35 Grand Slams? The answer is ‘No,’ because here's Carlos Alcaraz.”

Hubbs also believes that if Carlos Alcaraz is healthy, Novak Djokovic will have to fight tooth and nail to win another Grand Slam title as the youngster keeps on improving with each passing game.

“He's stronger, better, smarter, faster; whatever it is, it's all increasing by the second,” said the American. “And Djokovic is gonna have to scratch for every inch he can to win another slam at this point if Carlos is healthy and there.”

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“I put myself on the list of candidates to win Roland Garros” - Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz believes he can win French Open

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has weighed himself as the favorite to win the French Open this year. The Spaniard feels that his results on clay and current confidence will have him in good stead to win the title this year.

"Not so much because of the results on clay but also because of the confidence I have, I put myself on the list of candidates to win Roland Garros, and I'm not afraid to say it," Alcaraz told Spanish paper MARCA.

The World No. 1 has a win-loss record of 30-3 in 2023. His first loss came at the Rio de Janeiro final against Brit Cameron Norrie. Alcaraz then fell to his great rival Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the 2023 Miami Open. Recently, the Spaniard was handed an upset by qualifier Fabian Marozsan in the round of 32 at the Rome Masters.

However, Carlos Alcaraz has picked up three titles on clay this year and holds a win-loss record of 20-2 on the surface. He will head into French Open as the World No. 1 and the top seed.