“Learned how to play in a semifinal,” Carlos Alcaraz reflects on the importance of Rafael Nadal for his current purple patch

“Learned how to play in a semifinal,” Carlos Alcaraz reflects on the importance of Rafael Nadal for his current purple patch

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz has continued his rapid rise to the top of the men’s game. He started the year by losing a tough five-set contest against Matteo Berrettini in the third round of the Australian Open. The teenager then won the biggest title of his career at the Rio Open, an ATP 500 tournament. Alcaraz reached his first semifinal at the Masters 1000 level at Indian Wells. He went down to Rafael Nadal in three closely fought sets.

The Spaniard is having yet another great tournament at the Miami Masters, easing past Hubert Hurkacz to reach the final, where he’ll face Casper Ruud.

Carlos Alcaraz reveals Rafa Nadal impact in sensational Miami Open run

Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz has been having a terrific few weeks. Not only did he crack the top 20 on the ATP rankings, he also performed exceptionally well. He defeated the defending champion Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets to make a place for himself in the finals. This is the first Masters 1000 final that he has been in, and he will be facing Casper Ruud for a chance at the title.

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Recently he was asked how his run at the Indian Wells prepared him for the Miami Open, and if his semi-final against Rafael Nadal a few weeks ago help him win in any way. Experts have also been drawing comparisons between his addresses and dominant style with that of Rafael Nadal, his idol and compatriot. 

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Carlos Alcaraz said that playing the semi-final against Nadal was a different sort of an experience and it help him learn how to deal with the nerves of playing at the top level. 

“Well, it was a great match against Rafa. I think that I played a great match against him. But I think that I learned how to play in a semifinal in a Masters 1000. It was my first one, so now second one I managed to do much better than in Indian Wells… I think that the nerves, the tough moments, I managed better in this one than Indian Wells,” he said.

Also read: “The chair umpire got it spot on” Tim Henman criticises Nick Kyrgios for behaving poorly despite timely warnings at the Miami Masters