Tennis enthusiasts were left appalled as a mural depicting Rafael Nadal passing his legacy to Carlos Alcaraz was defaced in Madrid. The mural symbolized the transition of Spanish tennis from the veteran Nadal to the rising star Alcaraz, but its destruction has sparked outrage among fans.
Nadal, nearing the end of his illustrious career at 37, is seen as paving the way for 20-year-old Alcaraz to become the face of Spanish tennis. Despite Nadal’s injury woes, Alcaraz has emerged as a dominant force on the court, reflecting a shift in the nation’s tennis landscape.
The mural, unveiled just days prior, portrayed Alcaraz and Nadal side by side, with a symbolic passing of a crown from the veteran to the young talent. However, within a mere two days, images circulated online revealing that the artwork had been defaced, with significant portions chipped away and black paint sprayed over it.
The vandalism of the mural adds insult to injury for Nadal and Alcaraz, who both experienced disappointing defeats in front of their home supporters at the Madrid Open. Despite Nadal’s spirited run to the round of 16, his limited competitive action over the past year was evident.
The defacement of the mural serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by athletes and the need for respect within the sporting community. As Nadal and Alcaraz navigate their respective careers, fans hope for a brighter future for Spanish tennis, both on and off the court.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
Ranked no.3, Carlos played his last match on the 1st of May when he lost to world no.8 Andrey Rublev 4-6 6-3 6-2
in the quarter in Madrid (draw).This season the Spaniard has a composed 18-5 win-loss record. This year, Alcaraz won 1 tournament in Indian Wells.
Alcaraz is scheduled to compete next in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 8th of May.
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Now ranked no.512, Rafael played his last match on the 30th of April when he was overcome by world no.31 Jiri Lehecka 7-5 6-4 in the 4th round in Madrid (draw).
Currently, during this season Nadal owns a composed 6-3 win-loss record.
He is also scheduled to play at the French Open (French Open) after Rome. The main draw will start on the 8th of May.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal clashed against each other 3 times. Their current record is 2-1 for Nadal. Before, the last time they squared off, 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.