WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal share a high five in Madrid hours after the young Spaniard brushes up Novak Djokovic’s suit at the Laureus Awards

Carlos Alcaraz is excited to play Rafael Nadal in the Madrid Open final.

WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal share a high five in Madrid hours after the young Spaniard brushes up Novak Djokovic’s suit at the Laureus Awards

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are symbols of the Spanish old and new generations in tennis. Both have cemented their country’s place in Grand Slam history with 24 Grand Slam titles combined. Feeling at home in Madrid, the duo met while training ahead of the top-tier clay tournament.

For Nadal, playing in front of his countrymen and women means a lot. The 37-year-old has won the Mutua Madrid Open for a record five times in his illustrious career. For Alcaraz, being the defending champion of the tournament means a lot to him. 

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The 20-year-old had missed the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open due to injury but looks fit to play in Madrid again. When asked about his forearm at the Laureus Sports Award, he said he was good and better.

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I’m very good, we are better and little by little getting the best sensations.
Carlos Alcaraz said

The Spaniard duo have played against each other three times, with Nadal leading 2:1 in head-to-head. But the last time they faced each other was during a Netflix exhibition match in Las Vegas. Alcaraz won the match by a small margin and went on to win the Indian Wells Masters two weeks later. 

Nadal withdrew from the Indian Wells Masters and Monte Carlo Masters but returned to the Barcelona Open. Even though he exited in the second round, the tennis icon is not giving up this time, as he looks set to play in Madrid.

Both met each other with a high five at the Madrid training court as they tried to achieve another feat for themselves and their country. Nadal will begin his Madrid campaign against American Darwin Blanch, while Alcaraz, who has a first-round bye, will play either Alexander Shevchenko or Arthur Rinderknech on Friday.

Carlos Alcaraz excited with the possible prospect of playing Rafael Nadal in Madrid Open final

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal playing at the Madrid Open may eventually see both face each other in the final. Alcaraz with two Madrid titles and Nadal with five will be the spectacle of the tournament if it eventually materializes.

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal (Via Imago)

Speaking about it Alcaraz said it would be a dream for him and many people (especially for the Spanish people).

It would be incredible, both for me and for many people, it would be a dream final.
Carlos Alcaraz said

However, Nadal has only played five matches this season, including his display against Alex de Minaur in the second round of the Barcelona Open. The tennis legend doesn’t look 100 percent back, but that could all change in Madrid.

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