Carlos Alcaraz is the future of tennis and could threaten the record tally of grand slam triumphs, believes an awe-struck Nick Kyrgios.
The Australian former finalist was far from alone in gushing over Alcaraz’s extraordinary destruction of Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, with former champion Pat Cash also saluting his performance as "perfection".
Kyrgios watched from the BBC commentary box as the 21-year-old Spaniard roared to a 6-2 6-2 7-6 (7-4) victory that left Djokovic admitting to feeling "inferior", declaring: "Alcaraz will carry our sport a long way.
"He will be the face of this sport alongside (Australian Open champion Jannik) Sinner."
Kyrgios feels the man who has already racked up four majors by the age of 21 can now go on to challenge seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic’s record-equalling tally of 24 grand slams as long as he can steer clear of injuries.
"The biggest enemy he’ll have is his body. How healthy can he stay? I think he’ll have upwards of 15 slams for sure," said Kyrgios, currently recuperating from his own series of wrist, knee and foot injuries that have sidelined him for a year and a half.
"He could look to get to Novak’s record. It’s possible, but it depends on his fitness."
The Spaniard has already had some injury problems, having missed last year’s Australian Open with hamstring trouble and also pulling out of some of this year’s clay-court campaign with a forearm injury.
"The one enemy in Alcaraz's career so far has been injuries," said Kyrgios.
"This is only his eighth event this year, so if he's able to get on top of that and find what works for his body, nothing is going to be able to stop him in my eyes."
Djokovic had been desperately hoping to win a 25th slam to break the record he currently shares with Australian Margaret Court but Kyrgios now wonders if the 37-year-old may not reach that summit.
"We don’t know if there is another slam there for Novak now. He will have a big mountain to climb with Alcaraz and Sinner around - and I also think I can come back and challenge for a slam if I can get fit."
Cash, Australia’s 1987 champion, was left raving about the complete nature of Alcaraz’s performance, citing his power and pace as being too much for Djokovic.
"The power took Novak by surprise, Alcaraz barely missed a forehand when we’ve seen him missing them all tournament," Cash told BBC radio.
"It’s not what we expected, we were hoping for a great five-set match, but we saw just about perfection on Centre Court from Alcaraz today, and that has to be admired.
"Alcaraz brought his game when it really mattered. It was all round a perfect performance, almost a breathtaking type of tennis on the biggest stage there is."
