Carlos Alcaraz is the next Rafael Nadal. We have heard that for a long time. At age 17, yesterday he won his first ATP Challenger title at Trieste, Italy.  He defeated Italian Riccardo Bonadio 6-4, 6-3.

Alcaraz, who is coached by Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 2003 French Open champion. His bold and attacking tennis has drawn comparisons with compatriot Rafael Nadal. With more success on the court, high expectations are set for the young Spaniard. 

Check out Alcaraz’s game here. This was his first ATP win in Rio.

Alcaraz is the youngest player since Felix Auger-Aliassime to win a challenger title.  Auger-Alisassime was 2 months younger than Alcarez when he won the title at Sevilla in 2017.

The six-month hiatus didn’t break Alcaraz’s momentum. He said he spent the downtime to get improve his physical conditioning. 

I always say that I don’t like to be compared with Rafa, but this is a great achievement. I have to make my own path and I have to enjoy these moments as much as I can. I learned a lot this week.

– Carlos Alcaraz

There is no doubt Carlos Alcaraz has impressive talent. We will see if he can meet the lofty expectations.

Things are not going well behind the scenes in the tennis world. Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil have formed a new men’s players association, Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA).  Women tennis players are not included in the PTPA.

Djokovic also resigned as president of the ATP Player Council before announcing the formation of PTPA.  Pospisil and John Isner also resigned from the ATP Player Council.

Djokovic and Pospisil will be the co-presidents of PTPA. PTPA will have a board comprising of nine elected members.

Not everyone is happy with the new organization though. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray are not on board. Other players such as Kevin Anderson have also expressed reservations about the break-away group.

ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi, who is also a former tennis player, asked for unity among the tennis players.

We should not forget that, as an entertainment product, our competition for audiences and long-term growth is with other sports and forms of entertainment. Our battle is not with each other. Now, more than ever is the time for unity and collaboration.

-Andrea Gaudenzi, Executive Chairman, ATP

The grand slam tournaments and the ITF released statements yesterday supporting the ATP.  

What does all this mean?

Honestly, no one knows.  The details provided by PTPA are vague. 

• Will the PTPA engage in collective bargaining like the NBA, NFL, and MLB?
• Will the women players join the PTPA?