Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal are the top players in the ATP Rankings. Rafa is at the end of his glorious career and according to many Carlos Alcaraz is his natural successor. Nevertheless, Carlito disagrees with this concept. During a recent interview, he said: “I’m not his successor, 100% sure. When I see him on the Tour, I see him more like a rival who I see I have to play against. Rafa and I are really easygoing. We have spontaneous chats when we meet.”
The head to head
Carlito said that the only thing that he can achieve right now is a positive head-to-head record against the Spanish legend.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal squared off 3 times. Their current record is 2-1 for Nadal. Previously, the last time they played each other, Carlos Alcaraz won 6-2 1-6 6-3 in the quarter in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) on the 6th of May 2022.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2022
Currently the world no.1, Alcaraz played his last match on the 4th of November when he had to retire when playing against world no.11 Holger Rune in the quarter and the scoreline was 6-3 6-6 .
Currently, during this year Carlos has achieved an overall 57-13 match record. Alcaraz clinched 5 titles in 2022 in Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Barcelona, Madrid and U.S. Open. The Spaniard was the runner-up in Hamburg and Umag.
Rafael Nadal in 2022
At the moment ranked no.2, the Spaniard played his last match on the 17th of November when he defeated world no.3 Casper Ruud 7-5 7-5 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This season Nadal owns a compiled 39-8 win-loss record. Nadal conquered 4 titles in 2022 in Melbourne, Australian Open, Acapulco and French Open. Nadal was the finalist in Indian Wells.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal |
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