(Video) Carlos Alcaraz reveals favorite Rafael Nadal memory after the veteran’s retirement announcement
Carlos Alcaraz will be present with Rafael Nadal on his farewell alongside the rest of the Spanish Davis Cup team.
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Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Imago/ X)
World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz has shared his favorite memory with his idol, Rafael Nadal, on the tour. The elder Spaniard announced his retirement from professional tennis on Thursday (October 10).
One of the players who was visibly emotional about this decision was Alcaraz. The 21-year-old is expected to join Nadal for Spain’s Davis Cup duties, the final tournament of the left-hander’s career.
Alcaraz learned about Nadal’s retirement shortly before his quarterfinal loss to Tomas Machac in Shanghai. The four-time Grand Slam champion was surrounded by his team, including Juan Carlos Ferrero, and was shaken by the decision.
Carlos Alcaraz reflects on his favourite Rafa memory ???? https://t.co/ErazzaGmbU pic.twitter.com/dMVwelSxE1
— Carlos Alcaraz Daily (@alcarazdaily) October 11, 2024
Well, my favorite Rafa memory, apart from watching him win all the tournaments and stuff, I have a special memory. I helped him film on a commercial thing. I was 15 years old, and that was the first time I see him in real life. It was special for me.
Carlos Alcaraz said
However, Alcaraz denied that the news influenced his surprising loss in Shanghai, stating that he was happy with his performance during the Asian swing. The right-hander won the Beijing Open last week, defeating Jannik Sinner in a classic three-set final.
Relationship between Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal
The relationship between Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal first came into the spotlight at the Rafael Nadal Tour by Mapfre in 2015. The younger Spaniard won the event and was pictured with the ‘King of Clay’ at the trophy ceremony.
Since Alcaraz’s breakthrough in the 2022 season, he has been compared to all members of the Big 3, particularly to Nadal, given their shared nationality. The duo has played each other three times on the ATP Tour, with Nadal holding a 2-1 advantage.
Two of their meetings were on the clay courts of Madrid. Nadal won their first encounter in the 2021 Round of 32, while Alcaraz secured his first and only win against the Clay Master in the quarterfinals of the following year. The four-time Grand Slam champion also beat Novak Djokovic en route to claiming his second Masters 1000 title at that event.
Their relationship grew during this year’s Paris Olympics, where they represented Spain in men’s doubles. Unfortunately, the ‘Nadalcaraz’ duo was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
They were expected to reunite at the Laver Cup last month, but Rafa withdrew at the last minute due to fitness concerns. Nadal and Alcaraz fans will hope to see their partnership end on the ATP Tour in the best possible way at this year’s Davis Cup.
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Fahad Hamid
(624 Articles Published)