Marcelo Rios, whimsical and elusive player, is discreet on the tennis planet.
At 46, the Chilean who was world No. 1 in 1998 let go, in a long Chilean daily
La Tercera
.
Asked about the situation of Novak Djokovic, world No. 1, still not vaccinated against Covid-19, he said: “
He's a moron, he's going to miss the race (to the GOAT) and won't be the best in history because of a vaccine.
I thought the same, but I started traveling and had to have it.
Before, we might have thought that, but he's going to screw everything up because he's an idiot.
I don't know what the reason is, but if you're playing to be the best in history and you're going to screw up your career for a few shots, you must be the king of jerks.
I think at first it was out of fear, but now he's too arrogant.
»
Unwanted and rejected before the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic, competing in Monte-Carlo (April 10-17) only played 3 matches in 2022 (he was eliminated in the quarter-finals in Dubai by the Czech Jiri Vessely).
The Serbian who saw Rafael Nadal slip away with a 21st major title won at the Australian Open is the player with the most points to defend during the European campaign on clay where he will defend at Roland-Garros (May 22-June 5) the title won at Roland-Garros last year against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Read alsoThe return of Djokovic, the Alcaraz phenomenon, the Nadal interrogation … The (many) challenges of the season on clay
In an interview during which he takes a look at the news of the little yellow ball, Marcelo Rios, retired in 2004 (who follows the evolution on the courts of one of his daughters Isidora) enthusiastically evokes Carlos Alcaraz, rising star: “
I saw him play against Nadal in Indian Wells.
He should have won, but Nadal won because he was Nadal.
At first I found it like when (Fernando) Gonzalez started, he was hitting everything and nothing was coming in.
Now it's started coming in and there's no stopping it.
He is a small Nadal, who plays hard, who has a good physique.
Ferrero trains him.
He plays very well...
"
