Carlos Alcaraz radiates happiness, and it’s not because he’s the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion. It’s because he has his idol by his side in a very special way. Rafael Nadal is his doubles partner, his inspiration, and perhaps, after the Olympic Games, he will be able to count him as a friend.
Nadal recently expressed his thoughts about it and said: “Unfortunately I missed two Olympic Games through injury at a very good moment of my career. London and Tokyo. It’s something that hurt me more than missing Grand Slams.”
Playing on the red clay, where he had won only weeks before, Alcaraz was sure it would help. Alcaraz talked about it and said: “I have not had the opportunity to play many doubles tournaments, but obviously having the illusion of returning to Roland Garros, to these courts that I have always enjoyed playing, makes it easier.”
Alcaraz stated his remarks about Nadal and said: “Rafa continues with this way of competing, fighting, never giving up or giving up a point. He is admirable and I also try to convey what I see in him in his personal life, always trying to give his best version with that humility he has and with all that he has won.”
“Rafa continua com esse jeito de competir, de lutar, de nunca desistir ou abrir mão de um ponto. É admirável e procuro também transmitir o que vejo nele na sua vida pessoal, procurando sempre dar a sua melhor versão com aquela humildade que ele tem e com tudo o que conquistou.” pic.twitter.com/SILcCnYGZC
— Carlos Alcaraz Brasil (@carlosalcarazbr) July 24, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
WLWLLWLWWW Now the world no.3, the Spaniard played his last match on the 14th of July when he overcame world no.2 Novak Djokovic 6-2 6-2 7-6(4) in the final in Wimbledon to win his 16th career title.
This season Carlos achieved a compiled 33-6 win-loss record. The Spaniard has won 3 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells, French Open and Wimbledon.
Carlos Alcaraz will play the world no.374 Gabi Adrian Boitan in the . In the past, they have never competed against each other up to now in top tournaments.
Carlos clinched 3 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells, French Open and Wimbledon.
The Spaniard won 16 titles in his career: 4 on hard courts, 8 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 3 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Currently ranked no.161, the Spaniard played his last match on the 21st of July when he lost to world no.42 Nuno Borges 6-3 6-2 in the final in Bastad (draw).
Until now, during this year Rafael has managed to achieve an overall 11-6 match record. Rafael Nadal’s latest run in Bastad was the best achievement of his season.
Nadal will compete next at the U.S. Open (U.S. Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 26th of August.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal faced off 3 times. Their record is 2-1 for Nadal. The last time they competed against each other, 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.
