McEnroe and Shelton are amazed by Alcaraz: "Nothing like this has ever been seen"
The Team World captain made powerful statements about his opinion of an Alcaraz who imposed his law against Shelton, surprised by the level of the Spaniard.
When inspiration strikes Carlos Alcaraz on the tennis court, the Murcian becomes an almost unbeatable opponent for anyone. This is what Ben Shelton experienced firsthand, who, despite showing a good level of play, succumbed unequivocally to the Spaniard at the Laver Cup 2024. Both he and John McEnroe analyzed the game of the double Grand Slam winner this year.
Every time Carlos Alcaraz manages to display that sublime level of play that catapults him to being a potential legend in this sport, opponents have no choice but to surrender to the evidence. The magic of the Spanish player is such that, at times, he gives the impression that the only thing that can make him vulnerable is himself. This line of thought was echoed by both Ben Shelton and John McEnroe at a press conference of the Laver Cup 2024, moments after the American's defeat against the Spaniard.
"It's hard to accept what happened because I feel like I played at a very high level for almost the entire match. I had good opportunities in the first set, but any slight mistake against Carlos when he's at this level is fatal. I think I could have made some better tactical decisions at crucial points, but there is no room for error against him when he's like this," the player commented.
Questioned about what it's like to play against Alcaraz on days like these, Ben Shelton was straightforward. "The best in the world have a very characteristic virtue, which is to raise their level the better you play. He knew how to take advantage of my good ball rhythm, and once he found his own rhythm, he felt comfortable. The incredible thing about Carlos is that he is a brilliant offensive player, but he also knows how to defend very well and has an impressive leg mobility. Coming to the net is not a good idea either because he has tremendous clarity to make passing shots," he expressed with frustration.
- Shelton perceives the absence of flaws in Alcaraz's game, and McEnroe highlights a genuine virtue of the Spanish player
Special mention goes to the statements made by John McEnroe, who showered Carlos Alcaraz with praise. "Firstly, I would say he is one of the five fastest and most agile players I have ever seen on a tennis court. His hand talent is exquisite; he can do whatever he wants with the ball, showing remarkable sensitivity on his racket. In addition to that, the power he can exert on his strikes is mind-blowing," expressed the Team World captain.
"But the most authentic and fun thing about him is that passion he feels for tennis and can convey on the court. He is always able to smile without losing concentration and knows how to navigate through difficult situations with great skill. I wish I had that. I believe Carlos's virtues are unique; nothing quite like him has been seen before," summarized John McEnroe, in impactful words at this Laver Cup 2024, highlighting the level and competitive aura of Carlos Alcaraz.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, McEnroe y Shelton alucinan con Alcaraz: "Nunca se ha visto nada igual"