Serena Williams' childhood coach identifies effect Carlos Alcaraz has on ATP rivals

• Tennis News
• Serena Williams

Serena Williams' childhood coach Rick Macci has declared Carlos Alcaraz "the best motivator on the ATP Tour." Alcaraz, 20, is ranked at No 1 in the world and he already has two Grand Slam and five Masters titles in his collection.

Most recently, Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final to become the first player to beat the Serb at The Championships since 2017. So far this year, Alcaraz owns a 47-4 record. Reflecting on Alcaraz's astonishing early success, coach Macci thinks the Spaniard is making the competition "work harder and smarter." "@carlosalcaraz is the best motivator on the ATP tour as he has made every player work harder work smarter and visit a local hardware store and buy more tools," Macci wrote.

@carlosalcaraz is the best motivator on the ATP tour as he has made every player work harder work smarter and visit a local hardware store and buy more tools. — Rick Macci (@RickMacci) August 3, 2023

Macci called Alcaraz 'a generational talent'

In June, Macci said Alcaraz has everything to become an all-time great.

“Carlos Alcaraz is a generational talent. This is something the world of tennis has never seen. He is a combination of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Agassi. He checked every box. he has artistic skills. He handles the racquet like a magician.

Tennis is a game of inches. From one year to another, mentally, the guy eats pressure for breakfast. He’ll lose a 20-ball rally and smile. He just enjoys being on that tennis court. That’s what separates great from good,” Macci told FirstSportz in June.

After Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, fans started talking if that win signaled the start of a new era in tennis. When Alcaraz was asked about that, he kept it very classy toward Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

"I don't think so, I don't think so because as long as Rafa and Djokovic are playing and are active there will be no change of era. In a few years, when they retire and don't play anymore, the debate may come up again. Now it's not the moment. I have won for myself and my team, not to start an era," Alcaraz told MARCA.