Novak Djokovic’s former coach Nikola Pilic has questioned Carlos Alcaraz’s ability to continue playing at his current level into his thirties due to concerns over his body.
The 1973 French Open runner-up explained that he is a fan of Alcaraz’s game but claimed the Spanish star’s “body is wasted” as he pointed to injuries he has suffered.
Alcaraz was forced to miss the ATP Finals in 2022 due to an abdominal muscle tear he sustained at the Paris Masters, before a right leg injury kept him out of the 2023 Australian Open.
The 20-year-old Spaniard has not dealt with any significant injuries since, although he skipped the Swiss Indoors in Basel in October due to minor issues with his left foot and his lower back.
The world No 2 had a career-best season in 2023, winning six titles and compiling a superb 65-12 (84.4%) record. He claimed two Masters 1000 crowns, two ATP 500 tournaments and an ATP 250 title, but the highlight was his triumph at Wimbledon — where he overcame Djokovic in a thrilling five-set final.
The two-time major champion was beaten 4-6, 7-5, 3-10 by world No 10 Alex de Minaur in an exhibition clash on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.
Alcaraz – who is the second seed at the 2024 Australian Open, which begins on Sunday – will face Richard Gasquet in the opening round in Melbourne.
Pilic expressed his admiration for Alcaraz by naming him as a successor to Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, but voiced his concerns over the 20-year-old’s physical durability.
“When he won Madrid, I said that he was the de facto heir of the ‘big three’,” the Croatian said in an interview with Novosti.
“But are you going to tell me that he will play for another 12 years like today? He’s strong, and he’s a good player. Like it. But, that his body is wasted, that is true. How many injuries has he had so far? Regardless, [he] plays great.”
Pilic, who trained a young Djokovic at his tennis academy in Munich, also slammed the decision to name Darren Cahill as the 2023 ATP Coach of the Year over his compatriot and Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic.
“Jannik Sinner is a good player, but he has not won any Grand Slam. And now his coach, [the] Australian Darren Cahill, gets the trophy as the best coach, not Goran? So how far does it go, tell me?!,” he proclaimed.
Leave a Reply