Just a few days before the start of the Australian Open (January 16), Mats Wilander makes a bold statement. The former ATP leader puts forward Carlos Alcaraz as a serious contender for the title of GOAT, above the trio of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic.

Carlos Alcaraz will be ranked above Federer, Nadal and Djokovic

He won the 2022 US Open at just 19, but since then he has failed to match the fantastic level shown at Flushing Meadows.

However, Carlos Alcaraz is considered by Mats Wilander as a serious contender for the title of GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

This is all the more surprising as Nadal has 22 Grand Slams, Djokovic has 21 and looks good to win a few more, and Federer finished his fabulous career with 20 Grand Slam titles.

“For me, seeing Alcaraz win the US Open was probably the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen in tennis in my 20-plus years as a television analyst.

I think he can continue his long winning streak and I even told his trainer (Juan Carlos Ferrero) that privately. I think he might be the most important player in the history of our sport.

People will ask me, “What do you mean? About Roger Federer? About Rafa Nadal? Yes, I have a lot of faith in him and his qualities. He is a guy with an amazing will, he is so fast and plays so many different ways, he can constantly change the tactical plan and stay at an exceptional level.

You see him fly serve at 15-30, he always surprises you. And he is only 19 years old. He is number one in the world and you always see him smiling, he transmits an amazing energy. To be the best in the world and have so much fun on the tennis court is something I haven’t seen in a long time,” he said. Mats Wilander for Eurosport.

Carlos’ last official match took place at the Paris Masters, where the Spaniard went down in the second set of the match against Holger Rune (when the Norwegian was leading in the tiebreak with a score of 3:1).

Alcaraz missed the Champions Tour through injury, a situation that will repeat itself at the 2023 Australian Open (he will not play in Melbourne – the ATP leader said he was injured in training).

Australian Open 2023 will be held from January 16 to 29. Ashley Barty (now retired from sports) and Rafael Nadal became the champions of the title.