Former world No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov says it’s impressive what Carlos Alcaraz has been able to achieve at such a young age as he urged those around him not to put too much pressure on the 18-year-old.
Alcaraz has had a stunning start to the year as he is now a Masters champion and a top-10 player.
Alcaraz, who claimed titles in Rio de Janeiro, Miami and Barcelona, is now enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 9 in the world.
“I think it’s been great what he’s been able to do at such an early age, playing quite mature tennis I’d say, physically seems on a very very high level which is nice to see as you don’t really get a chance to see like a younger kid, he’s still a kid, you know, moving that well and hitting the ball that well, you know, it’s just time, timing is everything,” Dimitrov said on the ATP Tennis Radio podcast, per Sportskeeda.
Dimitrov: Don’t put the unnecessary pressure on Alcaraz
“I think less pressure on him from everyone around and let him do his thing and see how he’s going to develop but for now he seems to be on the right path,” Dimitrov added.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was beaten by Alcaraz in the Barcelona semifinal last week, noted players see Alcaraz as a quality player and major threat..
“Well, obviously, he has the experience and has experienced most of the players on the tour. He has built a rivalry with most of us and I think that is something that can help him, I don’t think it can hurt him in anyway. In the beginning he was the underdog, and now I feel like he is more based, people know him better, has been more on the tour. So, obviously, you know, we want to beat him as badly as he does now,” Tsitsipas said.