Daria Kasatkina argues the comparisons made between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, claiming that the two are very different from one another. The Russian also expressed her discontent with the continued pressure on young sportsmen to be seen as the legends’ heirs.
Naturally, comparisons to an early Nadal have surfaced, given Alcaraz’s rapid rise to prominence on the ATP Tour and their shared nationality and intensity on the court.
WTA player Kasatkina, however, has refuted these assertions, arguing that the two are different in many ways.
She talked about it recently and said: “I like supporting the Spanish players. Well not a crush, but I like the way Alcaraz plays. No [I cannot see Nadal in him]. He’s a different person. I’ve never really liked it when they put labels on young players, labels from older players. It’s just wrong. We always had it like ‘The second Maria Sharapova’ and ‘The next Nadal.’ Also in football, ‘The next Messi or Ronaldo. It just feels so wrong. I mean, why? Different people, different levels. First of all, time doesn’t stand still, it’s a different era, and everything is different, why would you compare the new generation to the previous one? Everybody is unique and different.”
While claiming that Alcaraz and the 38-year-old had different vibes and distinct playing styles, Kasatkina claimed that the only things they had in common were their emotional nature and Spanish inheritance.
She added: “Even on the court. Rafa and Alcaraz have a different vibe from each other. What they have in common is that they’re both Spanish. Wow, really? And their ‘Vamos’ and being emotional too, but I think it has more to do with their fiery personalities. But their styles of play are completely different. Alcaraz is a righty. I think they’re very different and I really enjoy watching Alcaraz play. He knows how to put on a show.”
Daria Kasatkina labels Carlos Alcaraz getting compared to Rafael Nadal as “wrong” https://t.co/w8GrgAD69s
— FirstSportz Tennis (@FS_Tennis1) September 17, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
WLWLLWLWWW Now ranked no.3, the Spaniard played his last match on the 13th of September when he overcame world no.18 Ugo Humbert 6-3 6-3 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
Until now, during this year Alcaraz has achieved an overall 41-9 match record. The Spaniard clinched 3 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells, French Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz was the finalist in Paris.
Carlos Alcaraz will face the world no.364 Gabi Adrian Boitan in the . They have never played each other as of now in top tournaments.
Alcaraz clinched 3 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells, French Open and Wimbledon. The Spaniard reached the final in Paris (Olympics).
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 the world no.154, Nadal played his last match on the 29th of July when he lost to world no.4 Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-4 in the 2nd round in Paris (draw).
This year Nadal achieved a compiled 12-7 match record. Rafael Nadal’s best performance of the current year was getting to the final in Bastad.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal faced off 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Nadal. Before, the last time they played each other, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-2 1-6 6-3 in the quarter in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) in May 2022.
In the following video you can watch the highlights.
Darya Kasatkina in 2024
Ranked world no.13, the Russian played her last match on the 28th of August when she was defeated by world no.48 Peyton Stearns 6-1 7-6(3) in the 2nd round in the U.S. Open (draw).
This year the Russian has a 30-18 win-loss record. Darya conquered 1 title in Eastbourne. Darya was the runner-up in Adelaide, in Abu Dhabi and in Charleston.
