Alcaraz is considered better than Djokovic in his prime.

According to former world number five Jimmy Arias, Carlos Alcaraz is the best tennis player ever, better than Novak Djokovic at his peak.

Jimmy Arias said he believed Alcaraz would beat Djokovic in the Wimbledon final before the match. "I said in interviews that Alcaraz at his best is better than Djokovic at his best," the former American said. "It sounds crazy, but Alcaraz is better than anyone else. Djokovic is not at Alcaraz's level."

Alcaraz and Djokovic at the Wimbledon awards ceremony on July 16. Photo: ATP — Alcaraz and Djokovic at the Wimbledon awards ceremony on July 16. Photo: *ATP*

Arias, who reached world number five in 1984, said he had never seen anyone with such a comprehensive skill set as Alcaraz. He credited the Spaniard with overcoming his mental hurdles by playing in the Wimbledon final just a month after losing to Djokovic at Roland Garros.

"Like many experts, I don't know how Alcaraz combines the strengths of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic," Arias added. "It's strange to say that a 20-year-old kid is better than the Grand Slam record holder, who is considered the greatest of all time."

According to Arias, Alcaraz can attack "quickly" like Federer, but can defend with the fighting spirit of Nadal. Alcaraz also possesses the coolness of Djokovic himself. "In the last serve game at Wimbledon, Alcaraz served very well but Djokovic only missed one return. Yet Alcaraz was still not confused," Arias analyzed.

Alcaraz, 20, has two Grand Slams, better than Federer and Djokovic at the same age and on par with Nadal. The Spaniard has only been on the ATP Tour for three years but has already won 12 titles – the 84th most in history.

Alcaraz's Wimbledon win ended Djokovic's four-game winning streak on the London grass court, as well as his 24th Grand Slam title. Alcaraz returns next week to prepare for the US Open title defence later this month, where Djokovic remains his biggest rival.

Vy Anh

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