"You cannot think about Djokovic, Nadal" - Bjorn Borg believes young players such as Carlos Alcaraz need to be promoted more by the media

11-time Grand Slam winner Bjorn Borg recently stated that young players like Carlos Alcaraz should be promoted more by the media in order for them to take over from Nadal and Djokovic.

Currently ranked No. 2, Carlos Alcaraz won his maiden Grand Slam singles title at the 2022 US Open and as a result, became the youngest player to reach the top of the ATP singles rankings. Hampered by injury after that, however, the teenager has made a full recovery now and has reached two consecutive tournament finals this year -- the Argentina Open and the Rio Open, of which he won the former.

When speaking on a recent podcast hosted by old friend Jimmy Connors, former World No. 1 Bjorn Borg was asked about players who could take over the mantle after the inevitable retirements of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

The Swede replied that Carlos Alcaraz is the closest to replacing the all-time greats. However, Borg feels he still needs to prove whether he is worth the hype. The 11-time Grand Slam champion also mentioned Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev as potential candidates.

"Alcaraz, he won the US Open, but I think he has to prove that he is that good. He can play really good tennis, and I like a lot of what he is producing in tennis. Then you have Tsitsipas and Zverev, who injured his foot in the French Open," Borg said.

The six-time French Open winner further highlighted the presence of American players such as Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz.

"But you have so many good players coming up. I have to talk about Americans too, Tiafoe and Fritz, I have to mention them too, but I am talking about Europe because I am European too."

The five-time Wimbledon winner also spoke about how the media needs to promote this set of new players to replace Nadal, Djokovic, and Andy Murray in the eyes of the public.

"I think there are a lot of young players coming up to take on Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, or whatever. You see new names, but it is important for the media to promote these new players coming up, because you can't think about Djokovic or Nadal, this is too much for tennis and other players to take over, and the media should promote tennis and these players, it is very important," Bjorn Borg added.

Carlos Alcaraz to take on Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters

2022 US Open - Day 10

Meanwhile, former World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will lock horns with Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the 2023 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. A win over the Italian will help Alcaraz make his third consecutive final since returning from injury.

The Spanish teenager won the Argentina Open by beating Cameron Norrie in the final. Norrie, however, had his revenge, beating Alcaraz to win the Rio Open title. The winner of the clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will take on either Daniil Medvedev or Frances Tiafoe in the summit clash on Sunday.