Legendary Rafael Nadal has opined that calling Carlos Alcaraz a prospect for the future makes no sense and the youngster is already a tennis legend. Alcaraz has won seven Slams in his bright young career and has ticked the right boxes.

The 22-year-old recently became the youngest ever to win the Career Grand Slam, beating Don Budge’s record. Alcaraz won his maiden Australian Open title after beating Novak Djokovic in the summit clash in four sets.

“He’s not a prospect. He has seven slams, so he’s definitely not just a promise for the future. He’s already a legend,” Nadal said via the Europa Press (as translated into English). “If you look at the historic greats in Slams there aren’t many who have seven. Calling him a prospect makes no sense.”

Meanwhile, Nadal was in attendance at the Rod Laver Arena when his compatriot won the Australian Open 2026.

Nadal was Alcaraz’s Tennis idol when the latter was growing up and they share a lot of traits. 

Alcaraz has won Wimbledon, Roland Garros and the US Open twice in his already glittering career. 

Meanwhile, Alcaraz revealed that private chat he had in the locker room with Rafa Nadal after winning the Australian Open title.

“Rafa congratulated me and we talked a little bit about the match, about how well Novak started, how difficult it was,” Alcaraz told Marca. “I told him that tactically, I started in a way that didn’t work. I was playing very straight and he told me that he saw it that way too.”

He continued: “We didn’t talk much because I had my things and he was leaving. It was a very special moment to hug Rafa with the trophy in my hand.”

After his triumph in Melbourne, Alcaraz decided to withdraw from the Rotterdam Open.