"It could be a first" - Martina Navratilova backs Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina to complete Sunshine Double

Martina Navratilova has picked Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina to emerge victorious in Miami and complete the Sunshine Double — winning Indian Wells and the Miami Open in the same season.

While reigning Wimbledon champion Rybakina has already reached the quarterfinals in Miami, World No. 1 Alcaraz will take on Tommy Paul in the fourth round on Tuesday (March 28).

Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka to win her maiden WTA 1000 title in the desert earlier this month and Alcaraz added a third Masters trophy to his cabinet by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final.

Speaking to Prakash Amritraj on the Tennis Channel, 18-time Grand Slam winner Navratilova remarked that Alcaraz and Rybakina were the 'players to beat'.

"You have to go with Alcaraz and Rybakina. I think they have a really good shot at winning the Sunshine Double, which I don't know if it has been done by both at the same time," Navratilova said. "But it could be a first. They both have a shot at it, they are the players to beat. Rybakina is in form and healthy."

If the two youngsters triumph in Miami, it will only be the third instance when two players win the Sunshine Double in the same year. In 1994, Pete Sampras and Steffi Graf won both tournaments on their respective circuits, while Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka achieved the feat in 2016.

Navratilova further showered praise on 19-year-old Alcaraz, saying that he was fired up and was giving as much importance to each of his matches as a player would give to a Wimbledon final.

"And of course, same with Alcaraz," she added. "Now healthy, I don't know how he fixed that leg but he did and he's looking very, very sharp. Every match is a Wimbledon final to him, he's fired up the same way for every single match and he's in there. I just look forward to watching great matches."

It should be noted that Navratilova initially mentioned Aryna Sabalenka as the Indian Wells champion instead of Elena Rybakina during the interview, a mistake she later corrected after being prompted by Amritraj.

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Carlos Alcaraz's bravery reminds me of Rafael Nadal: Toni Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz (L) and Rafael Nadal

Speaking to Marca recently, Rafael Nadal's uncle and former coach Toni weighed in on comparisons between his nephew and World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. Toni was mighty impressed with the younger Spaniard's intense game style and remarked that his bravery reminded him of the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

"Self-confidence, the intensity in his game," Toni said. "Carlos is also very brave and in this, he does remind me. We are going to have a great champion for many years."

The 62-year-old named Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz as the top contenders at the 2023 French Open, which begins on May 28.