Alcaraz Meets NBA Star Jimmy Butler In Buenos Aires: ‘He Is A Legend’

Frances Tiafoe dipped his toes in the basketball world Friday when he competed in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. On Saturday, a six-time NBA All Star visited the tennis world in Buenos Aires.

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler watched Carlos Alcaraz’s semi-final win against Bernabe Zapata Miralles at the Argentina Open. Alcaraz knew who Butler was, but this was their first meeting.

“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.” Alcaraz said. “I thanked him and invited him to the final.”

¿Querían saber cómo tira Carlos?👀🏀

📞 @MiamiHEAT @NBALatam pic.twitter.com/iP1YQldVE3

— Argentina Open (@ArgentinaOpen) February 18, 2023

The World No. 2 enjoys basketball and tries to keep up depending where he is in the world.

“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,” Alcaraz said. “I also like to play it and I’m not bad at it.”

^{Photo Credit: Argentina Open/Sergio Llamera}
The 19-year-old did not know Butler was coming until the last moment, when the management agency they share let him know. The pair shot hoops after the Spaniard’s victory.

“For me it’s something new to meet personalities like that,” Alcaraz said. “I don’t see myself at that level and for me it [was], ‘Look, there’s Jimmy Butler!’”