Carlos Alcaraz’s rivals have all said the same thing about Australian Open star’s behaviour - The Mirror

Carlos Alcaraz could become the youngest player ever to complete a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open aged just 22

Carlos Alcaraz heads into the Australian Open as the top-seeded men's player, hunting down a career Grand Slam that would make him the youngest player ever to pull off this remarkable feat.

The 22-year-old Spanish sensation has yet to triumph Down Under, despite already bagging the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles. Together with Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz represents the fresh face of men's tennis and looks set to dominate the sport for years to come. His opening opponent is Aussie hopeful Adam Whalton - a player he's previously faced and defeated.

As he embarks on his quest for Australian glory, Mirror Sport examines what fellow pros and tennis legends have been saying about the rising star.

Novak Djokovic

Getting a pat on the back from Novak Djokovic is practically like receiving a blessing from tennis royalty. The Serbian legend continues battling at the highest level, though Alcaraz and Sinner have emerged as superior forces in recent times.

"He's a wonderful person with great values. A family with [coach] Juan Carlos Ferrero, a team of great people," declared the 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic. "That's more important than anything. He's an extraordinary champion, still young but already with many trophies and successes. As a person, I also like him very much."

Roger Federer

Tennis titan Roger Federer has heaped praise on Carlos Alcaraz, who is eyeing a career Grand Slam at a younger age than the Swiss maestro achieved his. If Alcaraz clinches victory this year, he'll have completed the prestigious feat four years ahead of Federer.

"It's like Rory (McIlroy) going for the Masters, those things are tough," Federer admitted. "But at his young age, to be able to complete the career Grand Slam would be crazy. Let's see if he is able to do crazy this week, and I hope he does because for the game, that would be an unbelievably special moment. But there's another hundred and whatever players saying, 'We don't agree with those plans', so they'll try everything to stop him."

Rafael Nadal

Completing the trio of tennis legends is Rafael Nadal, who shares his Spanish roots with Alcaraz. Nadal has been effusive in his praise for the rising star, predicting a bright future for him.

"As everybody knows, it's amazing," Nadal gushed to Eurosport. "What he is doing is fantastic so well done for him and I wish him all the very best. He is doing a lot of things similar to me. He is young, he has the passion and the energy. He has every single thing to become a huge star. I'm like a Spanish spectator, personally I'm happy to have someone like him to stay on the tour for a long time and achieve a lot of things."

Jannik Sinner

Alcaraz's fiercest competitor, Italian ace Sinner, is likely to be a constant presence on the court with him. Despite their regular clashes in top-tier matches, Sinner has nothing but kind words for his rival.

"I feel like we are quite similar as human beings off the court," confessed Sinner. "I have the feeling that he likes to surround himself with the close people, which I do. I mean it's, for us, how we live is very normal, let's say, you know. Then, obviously, on the court we try to beat, we try to put on a big fight, you know, like we always do and we always try. Then at least he pushes me to do better, you know, which is something good."

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, another Spanish player who once ranked in the top 25, has lauded Alcaraz's upbringing. "They've brought him up with great values," commented Davidovich Fokina.

"But, having an ex-world No. 1 like Juanki as a coach is also an advantage for him. Because he helps him by telling him how to progress and how to act."