Rick Macci, a prestigious 67-year-old American coach who launched the career of the sisters Venus and Serena Williams, has published a video in which he assures that “in the last 30 years” he has not seen “any player” like Carlos Alcaraz. The technician is now better known after being recreated by actor Jon Bernthal in the film King Richard (The Williams Method in Spain), which has given the Oscar for best leading role to the controversial Will Smith, who plays Richard Williams, father of the legendary tennis players. In the recording of his YouTube channel, Macci explains that in his long career he has seen “a lot of players come and go, with a lot of potential. Federer and Rafa (Nadal) when he was young, Djoker (Djokovic)”, but none that represent “the complete pack”.
“This young man fulfills each section of the game and can create some more,” says the one who was also a coach, among others, of Andy Roddick, Jennifer Capriati and Maria Sharapova, and who has a reputable school in Haines City, Florida. Macci explains the qualities of the disciple of Juan Carlos Ferrero: “The first thing is the movement on the track. His speed is crazy. He has something different genetically in the hip that allows him to generate a lot of power from the lower body. He is a truly unique athlete. That makes him have a lot of torque and put out a lot of power when he runs and he’s faster than anybody, unbelievable.”
Rick highlights “secondly, his mindset.” “You can see a lot of Rafa in him, it has a lot to do with that of his idol. He is patient, but what I like the most is his lack of fear. I’ve never seen an 18-year-old boy play like him on the run and go from defense to attack in the blink of an eye. His ability to execute big running shots is mysterious. He waits for it, that’s what makes him unique to me. Everyone sees how good it’s going to be. Except for some injury, he will be the best of all time. I know that sounds like a crazy statement because he hasn’t even won a Grand Slam yet. But he is a generational talent, a tennis player who is seen once in a lifetime”, he continues.
“Play from the heart”
“In addition, his game is very mature. He knows how to hit him in every way, for example to hide drop shots. That adds another layer to his tennis because he is able to put you on guard so that you expect ‘the Spanish rifle’ and suddenly it catches you. The way you ‘change the channel’ with them requires extra effort and at the same time intimidating with its speed,” continues the USTA contributor and USPTA Hall of Famer.
Macci sums up his impressions: “I reiterate that what I admire most about Alcaraz is his mentality. He was born for greatness. He plays from the heart. And when you do that, you don’t feel so much pressure. Everyone has nerves. But I have seen him play live and he does it from the heart. That’s why he doesn’t fear or panic. At the end of the day he is a ‘showman’ who puts on a show and loves competition against whoever he is and in any place and circumstance. What a model and what an athlete! He’s a rock and the take off of him can only get better, with a few tweaks. In short, he had never seen this kind of talent in such a young boy. I expect excellence from him because he will be bigger, stronger and, incredible as it may seem, even faster. When you have a capital C, confidence, you can do anything. It’s a crack, the best I’ve seen in more than 25 years “, she concludes.