Carlos Alcaraz, he’s one in a billion”: John McEnroe urges tennis players to attend college and “play other sports

Tennis legend John McEnroe had high praise for up-and-coming Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz, calling him “one in a billion” on the SmartLess podcast.

McEnroe, a 7-time Grand Slam champion, discussed Alcaraz’s recent performances, including an early exit in the Paris Masters and his preparation for the ATP Finals in Turin.

Alcaraz, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, has faced challenges in recent tournaments, such as the Shanghai Open, where he exited early and fell behind Novak Djokovic in the ATP Ranking.

During the podcast, McEnroe emphasized the importance of young athletes engaging in various sports and gaining valuable lessons from competition and discipline.

Reflecting on his own upbringing in Queens, McEnroe expressed his belief that children should explore different sports rather than focusing solely on one, citing the physical and mental benefits of diversifying athletic experiences.

McEnroe also emphasized the idea of peaking later in tennis and the benefits of the college experience in preparing young athletes for their professional careers.

He concluded by highlighting the exceptional talent of Carlos Alcaraz, describing him as “one in a billion” and cautioning that not all young athletes are suited for the intense demands of professional sports.

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