To watch the match between Carlos Alcaraz e Grigor Dimitrovon Stadium 1 of the BNP Paribas Open, there was also Jimmy Butler. The American basketball player is struggling with a long period of rehabilitation after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his right knee.
The two share a good friendship and the Golden State Warriors player, when he has the chance, prefers to watch the Spaniard’s games live. The American has often been caught on camera at the Masters 1000 in Miami.
Alcaraz on Butler: “He’s like a brother. I’m happy he came to see me”
“He’s actually never seen me play basketball, but I’d really like it, maybe I could show up at one of his training sessions when he’s better. I’d like him to see me play, observe how I shoot or how I’m on the court, and maybe even receive some advice from him. I’ve seen him play tennis a few times, but always in informal contexts: in tournaments or after a match. So I’ve never really had the opportunity to give him real advice”, commented Alcaraz in the press conference.
“But I would like to get on the field and, sooner or later, do some coaching for him. He’s a boy I care about a lot. He’s my brother. I knew he would come: he told me he was rehabbing nearby and that he would come and watch my game. I’m really happy that, after everything he went through with the knee rehabilitation, he was able to come and watch me play and that we were able to spend some time together after the game. It means a lot to me. We don’t have many opportunities to see each other, so I really appreciate it the fact that he made the effort to come here.”