Footage of Carlos Alcaraz at just 13 is scary, he was destined for greatness
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Footage of Carlos Alcaraz playing tennis at the age of 13 has gone viral on social media.
Alcaraz, just 20, fended off 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in five sets to claim his first Wimbledon title on Sunday.
After 4 hours and 42 minutes of gruelling tennis, the world No. 1 announced himself as the new king of centre-court, winning 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
In turn, Alcaraz became the first man not called Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray to win the prestigious tournament since 2002.
However, it seems he was destined for greatness from a very young age after footage emerged showing the Spaniard sprinting around the court at the age of 13, throwing in a combination of powerful groundstrokes and his signature drop shot.
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He was playing against Alexandre De Villepin at Les Petits As in 2017, a junior tournament held in Tarbes, France which was previously won by Nadal.
The previous year, Alcaraz won the Under-14 RNTour, and admitted that Nadal was his idol.
"I want to be Top-10, but you need to work for it," he said in 2016 (quotes via Sportskeeda). "My idol's Rafa Nadal. I want to be like RN 'cause he practices very hard & gives his all in matches & I want to be like him"
Nadal, a two-time Wimbledon champion and former world No. 1 took to social media to congratulate Alcaraz after his Wimbledon victory on Sunday.
He wrote: “Congratulations Carlos Alcaraz.
“You have given us immense joy today and surely our pioneer in Spanish tennis, Manolo Santana, has also been cheering wherever he is as a member of Wimbledon whom you have joined today. A very strong hug and enjoy the moment, Champion!!!”
Featured Image Credit: Getty & TikTok @functionaltennis
