Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis: Carlos Alcaraz is "probably the coolest"

Pole vault world champion Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis admires Carlos Alcaraz, not just for his brilliance with the tennis racket, but also for his personality off the court.

Describing Alcaraz as “probably the coolest” person he has met, Duplantis heaped praise on the 22-year-old Spaniard, who has already won seven Grand Slam titles.

“I saw him [Alcaraz] live at a tournament about a year and a half ago, and aside from tennis, he’s probably the coolest and the most genuine person I have met,” Duplantis told Esquire Spain magazine on Friday (24 April).

Duplantis's comments came on the same day Alcaraz, the two-time defending Roland-Garros champion, withdrew from the French Open with a right wrist injury.

“Even after the match, off the cameras, he’s just as approachable, just as real,” Duplantis added.

Carlos Alcaraz in numbers: All titles, stats and records of the Spanish tennis superstar

'He's a star'

Earlier this week, Alcaraz was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, beating a glittering list of nominees, including two-time Olympic champion Duplantis himself, the 2025 winner.

Duplantis, 26, did not hold back his admiration for tennis World No. 2 Alcaraz, highlighting his grounded personality despite global stardom.

“And I love the relationship he has with his family, with his brother, with his mother. That really resonates with me, because I’m the same way,” Duplantis said.

“No matter how old I get, I still go to my mother’s house, have her cook for me, spend time with my father… that never changes.

“I really identify with him in that sense. He’s a star,” he said of Alcaraz, the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam in singles.

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