Alcaraz in McEnroe’s Eyes: Both Ancient and Modern

Throughout the long history of tennis, John McEnroe’s name is forever etched among the legends. The seven-time Grand Slam champion, known for his fiery temper and exceptional skills, recently spoke about a young player in an unprecedented tone: 22-year-old Spanish rising star Carlos Alcaraz.

“In my lifetime, I have never witnessed a young player so excellent and complete.” McEnroe’s opening statement commanded the attention of the entire tennis world. Having watched the sport for over half a century, he recounted every era he witnessed: from idol Rod Laver, to main rivals Borg, Lendl, and Connors, and later the incredible Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.

McEnroe’s tennis memories represent a living history of the sport. When he places Alcaraz within this grand narrative, his assessment carries significant weight: “I once thought the Big Three were unbeatable,” a sentiment shared by countless tennis fans during that era. However, he quickly added, “But I see something different in this Spanish kid.”

What exactly is this “difference”? According to McEnroe, Alcaraz embodies qualities that are both ancient and modern simultaneously. This seemingly contradictory blend is precisely what makes him uniquely captivating.

McEnroe vividly recalls the first time he saw Alcaraz play when the Spanish teenager was just 17. “He immediately caught my attention. He’s fast, creative, and unpredictable.” Yet what impressed McEnroe the most was the “almost devilish” grin on Alcaraz’s face.

“That smile annoyed me a bit… he seemed way too happy!” McEnroe admitted with a laugh. For the legend once known for his on-court temper, Alcaraz’s pure love and enjoyment of tennis created an intriguing contrast.

What truly astonished McEnroe was Alcaraz’s aggressive approach during matches. “He comes to the net, attacks, tries new things. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that level of play.” This statement reveals the fundamental difference between Alcaraz and most contemporary players.

In this era dominated by baseline defensive play, Alcaraz returns with a nearly vintage all-around style. His net skills recall the craftsmanship of the Laver era, his powerful forehand embodies the strength of modern tennis, and his imaginative shot selection belongs entirely to the future.

McEnroe ultimately described Alcaraz’s arrival as “a gift from God.” The preciousness of this gift lies not only in his exceptional skills inspiring us and his fearless courage challenging us, but most importantly, in the fact that he accomplishes all this with a constant smile.

While many mourn the gradual fading of the Big Three and worry about the post-Big Three era, Alcaraz’s rise offers a hopeful answer. He proves that tennis evolution never stops, and the sport’s charm lies in the fact that new talents will always redefine excellence in unexpected ways.

As McEnroe said, “People thought we wouldn’t see this level again after the Big Three, but Carlos is here, and everything he does is different.” At this moment when new heroes are needed, Alcaraz appears with his tennis that is both ancient and modern, his devilish smile, and limitless potential.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Mei)