Carlos Alcaraz shows body transformation with Rafael Nadal style sleeveless top at Australian Open, Jake Paul called him ‘young assassin’ and even Andy Murray has tipped him to be world No.1

Carlos Alcaraz has been hailed as the heir to Rafael Nadal and now he’s starting to look the part.

The young Spaniard burst onto the scene last year when he reached the quarter-final of the US Open, beating world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas along the way.

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His impact in New York, alongside Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez, transcended the sport with even YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul calling them 'young assassins'.

At 18, he is still the youngest man at the Australian Open and has a huge future in the game.

He made his debut on the ATP tour at the age of 16 as a scrawny youngster, but now looks physically ready to take on just about anybody.

The full effect of his transformation was clear to see during the first round of the Australian Open.

He wore a Rafa Nadal style sleeveless top that showed off his impressive physique, and has clearly been spending a lot of time in the gym.

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Alcaraz coasted past Alejandro Talibo in the first round, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 and faces Dusan Lajovic next.

This year could be a breakout season for the young Spaniard, with some even tipping him to rival Nadal on clay at the French Open in 2022.

Even Andy Murray has tipped him to be world number one someday, high praise from the three-time Grand Slam champion.

“From what I’ve seen, he’s got all the tools to be at the top of the game very soon.

“I think physically he’s extremely strong and moves great around the court. He obviously plays well on the clay and on the hard courts which isn’t the case for all the young guys.”

The comparisons with compatriot Nadal are obvious, asides from the fact Alcaraz is a right-hander.

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The 18-year-old is building a physique to match that of Nadal, and his temperament on the court certainly has some similarities.

There’s an intensity about Alcaraz and that explosive power that made the 20-time Grand Slam winner so difficult to play against.

Swedish legend Mats Wilander, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, made a comparison between the two last year.

“Well first of all, technically – I’ve got to mention the forehand. His arm at 18 years old is so explosive, it’s like Rafa Nadal when he was 18 years old – the same strength,” Wilander told Eurosport.

Alcaraz’s physio and rehab specialist Juanjo Moreno admitted some people have been surprised by the transformation seen from the Spaniard.

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He told the : “At first, people were surprised about it. We have seen the transformation gradually, even though it has been over a short space of time. 

“It's the same with children, if you haven't seen them for a while, you realise how much they change. 

“I remember that at Roland Garros, when the Nike clothes arrived, he tried on the sleeveless t-shirts and then you could really see the muscle definition in his biceps, triceps and shoulders. For me, Carlos now has the physique we were looking for. 

“This season, we still plan to fine-tune it a little bit more. We're happy with the work that's been done. 

“Right now, Carlos has reached almost his maximum potential and in terms of body type or muscle definition, let's say he's at 90 per cent of his potential. There is always room for improvement and we will improve.”