WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his 18th birthday after losing to Rafael Nadal
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Carlos Alcaraz
20-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal thrashed fellow Spaniard and teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz on his 18th birthday. He defeated the World No.120 in straight sets 6-1,6-2. Nadal was clear in sending a huge message to the 18-year old that a lot of work is to be done on his game. Nadal was quick off the blocks from word go as he broke Alcaraz in his very first serve game.
Nadal dominated his forehand wing hitting winnesr left, right and center, showing his class. As for the young Spaniard, he showed glimpses of class against the ‘King of Clay’ and would’ve learned a lot from this outing on the center court.
After the match, Nadal praised the teen. He said: “Carlos Alcaraz has enormous potential, the illusion and the humility to continue improving every day. I hope this is the case because we need him.”
“He has enormous potential and he only needs a little time. I want to wish him the best, because apart from a great tennis player he is a boy who has clear things, values that society you need.”
Feliciano Lopez gifts Carlos Alcaraz a cake after the match
After the match, tournament director Feliciano Lopez came on court and gifted Alcaraz a huge cake, on account of his 18th birthday. Nadal too joined the duo to click some pictures. He had a quick piece of advice for his youngster counterpart: “Don’t eat it all!”
It was a dream for Alcaraz to play his idol- Rafa Nadal on his 18th birthday. The young Spaniard even said that playing Nadal was the ‘best birthday gift’ he could ever recieve.
Also read: WATCH: Daniil Medvedev doesn’t want to play on Clay anymore
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Lakshya Chopra
(2595 Articles Published)