Remember how eight-time slam king Andre Agassi showered praises on 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz after he won that French Open epic against arch rival Jannik Sinner back in June? The former ATP icon was smitten by the Spaniard’s unparalleled on-court skills. So much so that he drew direct parallels with the ‘Big Three’. “You got to remember — this guy has defensive speed like Novak (Djokovic), if not more. He has feel like (Roger) Federer, you can argue at times, if not more. He has RPMs and pace like Rafa (Nadal), you could argue, maybe even more.” Now that their respective teams are about to lock horns at Laver Cup, the former World No.1 has made yet another confession regarding the “Murcian Maverick” – but with a twist.

Andre Agassi is the Captain of Team World, comprising the likes of Taylor Fritz, Alex Michelsen, Alex de Minaur, and several others. On the other hand, Alcaraz is representing Team Europe for a second-straight season. Soon, the event will see a doubles encounter between Fritz-Michelsen and Alcaraz-Jakub Mensik. Before the on-court battle, however, the opposing team’s captain tried to play mind games while taking a dig at the newly crowned US Open champion and six-time slam winner. In an interaction with ex-ATP pro Andy Roddick, Agassi initially confessed that “Everytime you see Alcaraz’s name on the draw, it tends to make everything in your body tensed up a little bit.” However, he tried to boost his team’s morale in the next response by hilariously downplaying Alcaraz’s abilities, for example, his exceptional athleticism.

“He’s so overrated. I told him when I saw him earlier, ‘Listen man, whatever’s worth, I know you are the enemy here but I can’t coach you and stuff. But you gotta work on your athleticism a little bit'”. But Agassi is clearly aware of what kind of damage the Spaniard can do whenever he’s on the court.

Speaking of his Laver Cup heroics, Alcaraz showed it last year what he is capable of. He accounted for eight overall points that made the difference for Team Europe in winning a fifth trophy. In a winner-takes-all final against Fritz, the World No.1 registered the victory in straight sets (6-2, 7-5) to lead his team to glory in his Laver Cup debut.

“I was nervous, I’m not gonna lie,” he said afterwards. “So it was kind of like I had to win. After that comeback, I have to win… I had nerves, I was a little bit nervous. I try not to show Taylor that I’m nervous.” But what about this season? Well, he is already targeting the sixth title for Team Europe.

Carlos Alcaraz exudes confidence ahead of Laver Cup

You can’t expect nothing less than excellence from a man who’s won seven ATP titles and two slams already in 2025. Not to mention how he dethroned arch rival Jannik Sinner in New York to also snatch the No.1 position back. Clearly, the momentum is with the Spaniard and he wants to carry it forward at Laver Cup too.

Ahead of his second campaign in the event, he recalled last year’s experience saying, “The energy that I got there…was crazy to be honest,” reported the Laver Cup website on September 18. “Having the opportunity to play a team event with the players that I used to fight against – for me was great. I just enjoyed, I think I got different energy to refresh my mind, my batteries just to come in even stronger for the next event,” he added.

He may have won multiple trophies this season, but Alcaraz is now aspiring for one more silverware. “It was really a special moment celebrating the Laver Cup with all of my teammates, holding the trophy, (celebrating) with the fans,” he reacted while remembering the post-win moments from 2024 in Berlin. This weekend, he wants the sixth one with Team Europe. “I’m excited about getting that experience again so I will try to lift the trophy at the end and celebrate with my teammates again.”

Alcaraz is set to kick off his Laver Cup campaign with a doubles match. Alongside Jakub Mensik, he will go against the pair of Taylor Fritz and Alex Michelsen on Friday. Do you think the Spaniard will lead his team to another title? Let us know in the comments below.