"How I felt when I played Martina Navratilova or Chris Evert" - Monica Seles sees shades of herself in Carlos Alcaraz's rivalry with Rafael Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz's grit and determination while playing against his idol Rafael Nadal reminds Monica Seles of her own experience of facing players she looked up to, like Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert.

Seles, a Laureus World Sports academy member, recently introduced the nominees for the 2023 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award, which included Carlos Alcaraz. Seles wrote that when she thought about her own breakthrough moment, she recalled her first Grand Slam title and being across the net from her idol.

Carlos Alcaraz experienced both of those feelings during his incredible 2022 season. Seles referenced watching Alcaraz take on Nadal in the semifinals of the 2022 Indian Wells Masters, stating that the athleticism, intensity and quality of the match were akin to that of a Grand Slam final.

Seles was impressed by Alcaraz's performance against Nadal, noting that their styles were similar and that Alcaraz was a "complete" player with impressive skills off both the serve and the return. She also highlighted his focus on every point, and imagined that the teenager realized he needed to step up his game in order to compete with his idol.

"I was taken by how similar their styles were. Alcaraz fights. He’s so impressive on both sides. The serve, the return – I was watching a complete player. But more than anything, I noticed the focus on every point. I imagined this teenager walking out against his idol and thinking: ‘If I want to compete with this guy, I need to up the ante,’" Seles wrote.

Monica Seles further stated that watching Carlos Alcaraz play against Rafael Nadal reminded her of her own experiences playing against legends like Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Seles recalled that she had a poster of Navratilova on her wall and was inspired by her unconventional left-handed style of play and aggressive game.

"It reminded me how I felt when I was starting out and I played Martina Navratilova or Chris Evert. I had a poster of Martina on my wall. The way she played inspired me, because she was so unconventional – a lefty, and no-one was playing serve-and-volley back then; no-one was playing that aggressive game. And she had to go through so much just to follow her dream, very few of us can even relate to that," Seles said.

The nine-time Grand Slam champion also admitted that while as a youngster she always wanted to meet Navratilova, she never imagined she would have the opportunity to play against her. She was initially overwhelmed at the prospect of having to beat Navratilova, and likened that feeling to what Alcaraz may have felt when facing Nadal.

"So, growing up, I always wanted to meet her. I didn’t think I would ever play her. Oh, now I’m supposed to try to beat her?" she said.

Monica Seles sees mutual respect between Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal at the 2022 Madrid Open

Monica Seles further stated that she went on to have some great matches against Martina Navratilova and that they developed a strong friendship after retirement. She added that while Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz weren't at that point of friendship yet, she could see the mutual respect they held for each other.

"We had some great matches, really feisty. But after we retired, we have been able to form a beautiful friendship. Maybe Nadal and Alcaraz aren’t there just yet, but I did see a mutual respect," Seles said.

Seles also claimed that by the end of 2022, Carlos Alcaraz had cemented his place in the company of players like Nadal. The teenager won his first Grand Slam at the US Open and ended the season as the youngest year-end World No. 1.