'Tennis needs Carlos Alcaraz to replace big three' - Ion Tiriac full of praise for 'future world No. 1'

Former player Ion Tiriac has said the sport needs Carlos Alcaraz to replace the 'big three' of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz has enjoyed a stellar 12 months, sealing two ATP 1000 titles and rising to No. 6 in the world at just 19 years of age.

Ad/> After reaching the quarter-finals at the US Open and French Open, he is already being tipped as a future Grand Slam champion and a successor to Nadal. Wimbledon'Murray a danger, but can't win Wimbledon' — Former doubles star FlemingAN HOUR AGO Tiriac has thrown his support behind the Spaniard and backed him for success with Wimbledon right around the corner. «A future No.

1,» he said, as reported by Eurosport Spain. «And I hope he is also a great character because tennis is going to need a great character in the place of these three who are leaving.» The sport has struggled to replace the likes of Nadal and Djokovic, who continue to dominate at Grand Slams despite playing into their mid-30s. 'Murray a danger but can't win Wimbledon' — former doubles star Fleming ‘Sorry' — Paul apologises to Henman after downing Wawrinka at Queen's Nadal training on grass ahead of Wimbledon — report A generation of tennis stars have failed to challenge their supremacy, but Tiriac believes the likes of Alcaraz and Hoglar Rune can finally topple the outgoing elites.

«There are people like Alcaraz. Like Rune, who can be a great player but has a few problems, his mother, this and that, but he hits the ball very well,» he added. «The new generation is coming for sure.» /> Federer is currently tied with Djokovic on 20 Grand Slams, two behind Nadal, and is set to miss Wimbledon to complete a 12-month spell without appearing at a Slam.