“Don’t want to imagine it,” Carlos Alcaraz wants to enjoy Rafael Nadal’s matches as much as possible as he is not ready for his idol’s retirement

Carlos Alcaraz, during the press conference, admitted he is going to live in the present to enjoy Nadal's matches as much as possible. 

“Don’t want to imagine it,” Carlos Alcaraz wants to enjoy Rafael Nadal’s matches as much as possible as he is not ready for his idol’s retirement

Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal (Images via Imago)

Carlos Alcaraz cannot imagine tennis without his compatriot Rafael Nadal. Currently featuring at the Madrid Open, Alcaraz wants to enjoy all the matches Nadal plays, knowing the King of Clay will soon retire. 

After his match against Kazakasthan’s Alexander Shevchenko, the 20-year-old talked about his spur-of-the-moment decision to play in Madrid, his confidence level, on his forearm, and tennis without the 22-time Grand Slam champion. 

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I don't want to imagine it yet. Like every fan of Rafa, of tennis, no one wants to imagine the circuit without Rafa. Personally speaking, I want to enjoy Rafa as much as possible, every time he enters the court, and every time he can compete.
Carlos Alcaraz said (via Punto de Break)

After the Barcelona Open exit, Nadal is also playing in Madrid, which he hinted could be his last on home soil. He defeated America’s 16-year-old Darwin Blanch in straight sets 6-1, 6-0 in his first round. Alcaraz, during the press conference, admitted he is going to live in the present to enjoy Nadal’s matches as much as possible. 

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I know that's what he wants and what excites him, to feel competitive and try to win. Every time he can do it, I will be there to enjoy it. 
Carlos Alcaraz added 

Nadal will next face Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the Round of 64. The Aussie previously became the reason behind Nadal’s Barcelona Open exit. 

Carlos Alcaraz decided to play in Madrid a day before his first-round match

Carlos Alcaraz was doubtful about his return to court while recovering from a right arm injury. Because of that injury, he had to miss the Barcelona Open and was about to withdraw his name from the Madrid Open. 

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X)

However, just a day before his first-round match, the defending champion decided to play. During the press conference, the two-time Grand Slam champion revealed that he entered the Madrid Open without training. 

After noticing that he felt no pain while practicing with Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, the 20-year-old finally decided to enter the tournament. However, Alcaraz is not confident about winning the tournament as his main goal is to go “game by game.”

Yesterday was the moment I decided that I could play. In the end, I went without training.
Carlos Alcaraz said 

The Spaniard easily defeated Alexander Shevchenko in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 in the first round. His next match is against Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild on Sunday (April 28). 

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