John McEnroe reveals why ‘favourite’ Carlos Alcaraz might not win the US Open

John McEnroe reveals why ‘favourite’ Carlos Alcaraz might not win the US Open

John McEnroe has saluted Carlos Alcaraz as his favourite player to watch in modern tennis, as he admitted his levels of consistency have left him dumbfounded.

Alcaraz headed into the US Open on the back of wins at the French Open and Wimbledon in a triumphant European summer, with his run of the final of the Paris Olympics halted by an inspired Novak Djokovic in the final.

He then lost surprisingly after what he admitted was his ‘worst performance ever’ against Gael Monfils in the Cincinnati Masters, with that shock loss affecting his preparations for the US Open.

Now McEnroe has summed up Alcaraz’s run of success at the age of just 21, as he spoke to Tennis365 at a Eurosport event.

“When I saw him losing in Cincinnati and thought ‘yes, he’s human!” McEnroe said in response to a question from Tennis365.

“Alcaraz is my favourite player to watch right now. He can do everything and he does it all so well. It seems almost impossible that he would be that positive every week, that he can win as often as he does at that age.

“The smile, everything about him, it’s hard to believe he doesn’t get frustrated in a sport that is as frustrating as tennis is. Trust me, I know what it’s like to get frustrated in tennis!

“I’m sure he felt he needed a little bit more of a break after that. Novak didn’t play, he pulled out of Montreal and Cincinnati, but he is 37 and felt like he needed a break.

“Then for Carlos, there is a bit of pressure from the powers that be to play and I think, in retrospect, it would have been better if he hadn’t played at all.

“So I think that was a bit of a blip in Cincinnati, but I do think it’s going to be a big ask for him to win the US Open emotionally after everything that’s happened over the last few months.

“How much is in the tank? So that’s why I think it opens the door for someone other than the three guys that we think could win it.”

McEnroe believes Alexander Zverev or Andrey Rublev may take advantage of disjointed preparation for the Sinner, Alcaraz and Djokovic heading into the US Open, as he suggests a shock winner could emerge in New York.

“You have Sinner with all the stuff going on around him, Alcaraz coming back from everything he has achieved and Novak going in after finally winning the Olympics. That’s why I say the door is open for a surprise winner at this US Open,” he added.

“Maybe (Alexander) Zverev can do something. Maybe Rublev can get a better draw and finally get past a quarter-final in a Slam.

“Having said that, I’d still probably pick one of the three guys (Sinner, Alcaraz or Djokovic) to win the title.”

Fans across Europe can watch the US Open on Eurosport and Max (excludes Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and Ireland)