Carlos Alcaraz weighs in on Michael Jordan, NBA GOAT debate at US Open

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NEW YORK—Far from his last dance, Carlos Alcaraz was all smiles to kick off his 2023 US Open title defense, fielding questions about his Michael Jordan-inspired attire and whether he thinks the Chicago Bulls legend is the Greatest of All Time.

“Well, I started to follow the NBA not too far ago,” demurred the top seed, who captured his first major title in Flushing Meadows last summer. “Obviously I hear a lot about basketball, about NBA. I didn't watch it so much.

“Obviously, I've watched a lot of videos and everybody knows Michael, what he did to the game. He was something unbelievable. I huge fan of him, huge fan of his clothes as well, as you can see.”

But is he the GOAT?

“I'm not going to talk about the G.O.A.T.,” smiled the Spaniard, who is coming off a runner-up finish at the Western & Southern Open to GOAT contender Novak Djokovic. “Is not a doubt that he's one of those.”

Alcaraz has been getting early GOAT hype of his own in 2023, particularly after dethroning Djokovic at Wimbledon earlier this summer for his second major title. His off-court portfolio has grown in kind; the Spaniard dropped a new advertisement with Louis Vuitton just this week.

But the 20-year-old admitted it may take some adjusting to his role as defending champion at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

“I try not to think about that,” he said of the added pressure. “This week, this practice week, I try to do exactly the same thing that I did last year, trying to practice the same way that I'm going to play, and focus on that. I'm not focus on the defending champion, the points, whatever. I'm just focus on show my best level, try to improve in every practice, and let's see how is going to be the tournament.”

Alcaraz will certainly aim to channel some MJ vibes in his first round against Dominik Koepfer on Tuesday.