Carlos Alcaraz has branded Holger Rune the “biggest trash talker” on the ATP Tour and thinks Novak Djokovic is the greatest player of all time due to his winning numbers. The 21-year-old overcame Djokovic in the Wimbledon final earlier this month to win the fourth Grand Slam trophy of his career.
Alcaraz has become one of the biggest stars in world tennis since winning his first major at the US Open as a 19-year-old in 2022.
He lifted his first Wimbledon trophy last year and went on to claim his maiden French Open title in June.
Alcaraz featured in a quickfire back-and-forth in a video posted to X by the ATP Tour. And he apologised to Rune for his trash talk label as he explained: “Sorry but that’s what I thought.”
The Spaniard claimed Frances Tiafoe is the nicest and funniest player on the Tour and would choose him as his wingman on a night out. But he also admitted he wouldn’t call the American in an emergency.
Alcaraz then insisted Alex de Minaur is the most underrated player in the game and avowed that Djokovic is his toughest opponent. And sharing his thoughts on the tennis GOAT, the four-time Grand Slam winner said: “As far as numbers, it’s Novak Djokovic without a doubt. The other two [Roger] Federer and Rafa [Nadal], for me they’re tops.
Alcaraz faced a tough battle with Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon final as he battled back from a set down to win a five-set thriller. But this time around, he dispatched the Serbian in straight sets.
“Honestly, it is a dream for me winning this trophy,” he said after the match last Sunday. “I did an interview when I was 11 and I said my dream is to win Wimbledon. I wanted to keep going. It’s a great feeling to play on this court, this beautiful court, to lift this massive trophy.
“For me, this is the most beautiful tournament, the most beautiful court and obviously the most beautiful trophy.
Djokovic is an unbelievable fighter, I knew he was going to have his chances. It was difficult but I tried to stay calm going into the tiebreak and tried to play my best tennis. I was glad at the end I could find the solutions.
Alcaraz is set to chase his first Olympic gold medals when the Paris Games begin next weekend. The star will represent Spain in the singles and doubles as he teams up with Rafael Nadal.
He will then go in pursuit of his second US Open title when the final Grand Slam of the year gets underway at Flushing Meadows in New York next month.
