Carlos Alcaraz ‘a one in a billion freak,’ says John McEnroe

Legendary John McEnroe has tipped Carlos Alcaraz as one in a billion freak. Alcaraz has impressed with his game and never-say-die attitude on the court. The Spaniard has been ticking the right boxes and has shown the promise to be the next big thing in the sport.

The youngster has already won two Grand Slams in his short career – US Open 2022 and Wimbledon 2023 and he has all the hunger to succeed at the top level.

In fact, Alcaraz has been the only player who has come close to challenging Novak Djokovic in the recent past.

“For every person you hear that succeeds, there’s a million that don’t,” McEnroe said on SmartLess Podcast. “Not everyone’s Carlos Alcaraz, he’s one in a billion. He’s just a freak.

“He’s an incredible player, but most kids have no business doing that.”

On the other hand, McEnroe doesn’t believe in the idea that budding players should play only the sport in which they want to make a career. The seven-time Grand Slam champion feels it is important for the young players to enjoy other sports as well.

“I grew up in Queens,” he explained. “The best thing that ever happened to me was not going to a [Nick] Bollettieri-style camp. I would’ve quit the game at 16 or 17. I love to play other sports.

“All studies show, both physically and mentally, it’s healthier for kids to play other sports. This idea that you’ve got to go all in in soccer or basketball is a bunch of, can you say bull***t on this, it’s total BS.

“The truth is, what I base my beliefs on and what this academy is all about, that you should play other sports and you should come to this a little later. Tennis players are peaking later than they ever did.”

“I think college is an experience that not only do you get to play as a team potentially if you’re in a sport, but you get to grow up a little bit and also have some fun before you work your way into a profession, and you’ll be more prepared to handle it. So I completely disagree with what they do most often.”

Carlos Alcaraz recently lost in the second round of the Paris Masters.