'I fell in love with the game,' NBA superstar Jimmy Butler credits young Carlos Alcaraz for his interest in tennis as he cheered on the Spaniard in Miami

It's fantastic to see Carlos, even if it's always difficult to root for someone rather than someone else because I really respect everyone in this world of tennis… Of course, however, thanks to Alcaraz I fell in love with the game and for this reason, I became a superfan of his. Jimmy Butler said as per Tennis World USA

Notably, Butler met Alcaraz last year when the latter was competing at the Buenos Aires Open. The 20-year-old won that tournament by beating Cameron Norrie in the final.

Carlos Alcaraz admires Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol’s winning mentality

Carlos Alcaraz loves basketball and despite a tight schedule, he did not miss the chance to watch the Miami Heat’s clash against the Golden State Warriors at the Kaseya Centre last month. He called the encounters with Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol the most special. Also after the match, he met Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Chris Paul.

I'm lucky to have met some great athletes, and also big celebrities, which in a way continues to really surprise me. It's hard to believe I'm one of those celebrities. But I met Pau Gasol recently, someone who I'd really wanted to meet. I met him in Las Vegas. He’s really an incredible guy. Jimmy Butler too. Carlos Alcaraz said in an interview during the game

What Alcaraz admires in Gasol and Butler is their winning mentality. The Spanish youngster likes how the two NBA stars always try to improve their game each day to become better athletes.

Alcaraz last participated in the Miami Open but couldn’t clinch a Sunshine Double after Grigor Dimitrov knocked him out in the quarterfinals. He will next play in the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters. So far, the two-time Grand Slam champion has won just one title this year, at the Indian Wells by beating Daniil Medvedev.