Carlos Alcaraz was absolutely thrilled about meeting NBA star Jimmy Butler in Buenos Aires. Because of the All-Star weekend, Miami Heat star Butler found some time to travel abroad. On Saturday, Butler was in attendance for Alcaraz’s Buenos Aires semifinal match against Barnabe Zapata Miralles.
Later, Butler and Alcaraz shot some hoops. “Thank you very much,” Alcaraz can be heard telling Butler. Butler responded by telling Alcaraz: “Of course, man. Huge fan, man. Huge fan. How you feeling?”
ðŽŽ¾ðŸ¤ ðŸ »ðŸ €
El encuentro entre Carlos Alcaraz y Jimmy Butler tras el partido.
También le da bien a la canasta el chaval.
🎥 @ArgentinaOpen pic.twitter.com/0J70lpTjQs — Germán R. Abril (@gerebit0) February 18, 2023
Más fotos del encuentro🤩🤩🤩🤩 pic.twitter.com/RFjndxxizO — Argentina Open (@ArgentinaOpen) February 18, 2023
Alcaraz: Butler is a basketball legend
Butler, a six-time NBA All-Star, is a well-known name in the basketball world.
Alcaraz, who follows basketball, admitted it was a privilege to see such a name coming to watch him. “I have seen him play several times. I have a lot of respect for him, after all he is a legend of his sport, a star and to have him come to see me is a privilege.
I thanked him and invited him to the final,” Alcaraz told the ATP website. Alcaraz follows the NBA but admits that sometimes watching the games is tricky due to very different time zones. “Sometimes with the time in Spain it is complicated but yes.
Miami, the Lakers, some others, there are several teams that I like a lot. I also like to play it and I’m not bad at it,” Alcaraz revealed. Even though Alcaraz has accomplished some pretty notable things in tennis, he insists Butler is a bigger star.
“For me it’s something new to meet personalities like that. I don’t see myself at that level and for me it [was]’Look, there’s Jimmy Butler!’.” Alcaraz admitted. Meanwhile, Alcaraz didn’t disappoint Butler.
In the Buenos Aires semifinal, Alcaraz delivered a great performance as he dismantled Zapata Miralles 6-2 6-2. It was the second meeting between the two on the main stage. At the 2021 French Open, Alcaraz defeated Zapata Miralles in the first round for his first Grand Slam main draw win.