Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal told they have a new threat to GOAT race

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Mats Wilander has warned Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal that they could have a new threat to their race to be crowned the GOAT. The retired pro believes that Carlos Alcaraz could throw a spanner in the works by thwarting their chances of winning more Majors. It comes after the 19-year-old won the Indian Wells Masters and overtook Djokovic to return to world No 1.

Djokovic and Nadal are currently tied on the men’s singles Grand Slam record with 22 titles each and are bidding to outdo each other to be crowned the GOAT. The Serb has already shared his wish to meet the 36-year-old in the French Open final with a 23rd Major on the line.

But he could be denied his wish, as Mats Wilander believes Alcaraz has the ability to “get in between them and change history.” The seven-time Grand Slam champion claimed that Djokovic and Nadal should fear him on certain surfaces.

“It will be important for Rafa and Novak not to play against Carlos in certain conditions that will favour Alcaraz,” Wilander told Eurosport. The 58-year-old was also impressed by Alcaraz winning Indian Wells off the back of an injury, as he continued: “Alcaraz did not seem to me the best player in the world or that he did not have any weakness in several games of Indian Wells, but yes in the final against Medvedev.

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“When Alcaraz is in charge of the exchange, he has a lot more options than any tennis player I’ve ever seen, except for Federer. He doesn’t seem to care what the other person does if he has the power, he can make a great variety of shots. It reminded me of his best version at the US Open.”

Wilander also compared Alcaraz to Djokovic and Nadal after admitting he could stop their Grand Slam hopes. “He’s going to be one of the best players of all time. He’s going to be No 1 for many years during his career,” he declared.

“Whether he’s going to stay there or not I don’t know, just like I didn’t know after the US Open, but after sweeping Medvedev in the final, I think Alcaraz has more than he needs to remain No 1 in the world. “90 per cent of the circuit will have no options against him, only 10 per cent, and that is what Rafa, Roger and Novak have done for 20 years.”

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While Wilander backed Alcaraz to trouble Djokovic and Nadal, he admitted the teenager needed to work on his clay court game. “In the same way that Nadal learned to play on a hard or grass court, he will end up seeing what is best for his game on clay,” he remarked.

“It will be essential to face Novak or Rafa. Alcaraz is too fast for a slippery clay court.” The 22-time Major champions could be safe for now, as the retired former world No 1 thought that it could be big ask for Alcaraz to beat either man at the French Open.

“The difference between beating Djokovic and Nadal in Madrid compared to Roland Garros is very big. It’s complicated, but you can have a good day and beat one of them,” he explained. “Although now I don’t think it’s a big threat for them. I am not saying that he cannot win in Paris, in fact he will end up winning, but he still has to see how he will find his best game on clay in five sets.”

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