Boris Becker makes big Carlos Alcaraz claim involving Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer

Boris Becker believes Carlos Acaraz is “better at 21” than tennis greats Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer after the Spaniard won the French Open.

Aged 21, Alcaraz became a three-time Grand Slam winner on Sunday as he defeated Alexander Zverev 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 in the final at Roland Garros.

Having also won the 2022 US Open and 2023 Wimbledon titles, Alcaraz is the youngest player to win the Surface Slam, becoming only the seventh player to win a major on hard court, grass and clay.

He is now just one Australian Open title away from completing the Career Grand Slam, a feat that the likes of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer have achieved.

The Spaniard also finds himself ahead of both Djokovic and Federer in terms of age when it comes to winning three majors as Federer was 22 when he won his third Slam and Djokovic was the 24.

Nadal was slightly younger as he won his third Roland Garros title shortly after turning 21 in 2007 while Alcaraz celebrated his 21st birthday on May 3.

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Tennis great Boris Becker feels Alcaraz is already ahead of the Big Three when they were his age.

“In my eyes, he’s better at 21 than Nadal, Djokovic or Federer were at the same age. And then the way he presents himself – you just have to like him,” he told Eurosport’s ‘Matchball Becker’ programme.

He added: “What a gladiatorial battle between two fantastic players. The final had everything that makes a tennis heart beat faster. Congratulations to Alcaraz. What a fighter, what a player. Huge respect for Alexander Zverev, what a tournament in Paris.”

Alcaraz himself has made no secret of the fact that he wants to break some of the records set by the Big Three, including Djokovic’s Grand Slam tally of 24.

“Before facing this final, he [his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero] told me, you’re going to fight for your third Grand Slam title, with everything you have been through, and you know the difficult part of winning a Grand Slam, and Djoko has 24,” the world No 2 said.

He added: “So it is unbelievable. Right now I can’t think about it. I just want to keep going, and let’s see how many Grand Slams I’m gonna take at the end of my career. Hopefully reach the 24, but right now I’m going to enjoy my third one, and let’s see in the future.”

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