Following an incredible 7-5, 6-1 victory over Dominic Thiem in the Brisbane International 2024 first round, Carlos Alcaraz wrote a message for his countryman Rafael Nadal. The 20-year-old Spanish star gave Nadal the credit he deserved, praising his incredible return to competition after a 12-month absence.
After the longest break of his career, Nadal shocked everyone with an emotional return and expressed his utmost delight in competing again during the post-match news conference.
Nadal expressed his thoughts about his comeback and said: “Today is honestly an emotional and important day for me after probably one of the toughest years of my tennis career, without a doubt. I had the chance to come back after a year and play in front of an amazing crowd and play, I think, at a very positive level.”
He added: “On the first day, it is something that makes us feel proud. Myself and all the team and family that have been there every single day during the past year. Nothing has changed with regards to what I have been saying lately: This is one step and still there is a long way to go. The first match in almost a year that went well, quite honestly, but it’s only a match. It is important that I am healthy and stay healthy throughout the match. And my goal is to keep enjoying.”
Alcaraz commented on Nadal’s post on Instagram: “What a joy to see you again on track, Rafa!”
View this post on Instagram
The volley was great.
But the reaction was even better 🤩@RafaelNadal #BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/V2FloWxgaT
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 2, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
LWLLWWWWWW Now ranked no.2, the Spaniard played his last match on the 18th of November 2023 when he was defeated by world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
At present, during this year Carlos achieved an overall 65-12 win-loss record.
Alcaraz will play next at the Australian Open (Australian Open). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 14th of January.
Nadal in Brisbane, ranking, and results in 2024
Ranked world no.672, the Spaniard has achieved an overall 1-0 win-loss record in 2024. Nadal is participating in Brisbane where he conquered the world no.98 Dominic Thiem 7-5 6-1.
Rafael Nadal will come up against the world no.102 Jason Murray Kubler in the 2nd round. They have never played each other so far on the main tour.
Rafael won 92 titles in his career: 24 on hard courts, 63 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal squared off 3 times. Their head to head is 2-1 for Nadal. The last time they locked horns, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-2 1-6 6-3 in the quarter in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) in May 2022.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
