No escaping 'best in the world' Alcaraz is heir to idol Nadal

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic over the past two decades, but Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz threatens to upend tennis's established order after a dizzying rise to stardom. Alcaraz, who only turned 19 last Thursday, became the first player to beat Nadal and Djokovic on clay at the same tournament on his way to a second Masters 1000 title in Madrid. Seemingly preordained for greatness, Alcaraz has so far delivered on the promise, described by beaten finalist Alexander Zverev as "right now the best player in the world".

He became the youngest US Open quarter-finalist of the Open era last September, then won his first Masters crown in Miami in early April. Only Nadal has won two such titles at a younger age. "I would say this is the best week of my life," Alcaraz said on Sunday, before pulling out of Rome to rest a sore ankle ahead of the French Open which begins on May 22.

Coached by former world number one and 2003 Roland Garros champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz knows he has some way to go. "I still have to improve in everything," he said. "I have very good shots, but they can be improved and can be much better." Alcaraz was born in 2003, barely two months before Federer won his first major title at Wimbledon.

But, perhaps unsurprisingly, it is his compatriot Nadal -- the record 21-time Grand Slam champion -- he most admires. "I have always looked up to Rafa, I always watched his big moments and matches and learned a lot from that," said Alcaraz, who received a congratulatory call from Spain's King Felipe VI after his Miami triumph. A year ago Alcaraz sat 120th when he made his Madrid debut.