Rafael Nadal expressed his happiness at being compared to his countryman Carlos Alcaraz, saying it was a fortunate coincidence that Spain had discovered another exceptional athlete in the form of the youthful Spaniard. He also talked about how hard it was to find two of the greatest athletes in history to come from the same nation.
Alcaraz has often professed his affection for Nadal. His favourite player, according to him, is the 22-time Major champion. The two are also causing waves in the tennis world as they team up for doubles at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The group advanced to the quarterfinals and was known as “Nadalcaraz.”
Due to their shared nationality, as well as the parallels in their professional paths and playing styles, the 21-year-old and the 38-year-old are frequently compared. Following the fans’ retirement of the 14-time Roland Garros champion, Alcaraz is also heavily tipped to become the new face of Spanish tennis.
During a recent appearance on the Spanish talk show ‘El Hormiguero’, Nadal shared his thoughts on the similarities to Alcaraz. He expressed gratitude that Spanish tennis has brought the 38-year-old this close to hanging up his racket and claimed the comparisons didn’t put any pressure on the world No. 3 player. He also mentioned the challenge a nation faces when producing two of the greatest athletes in sports history.
Nadal talked about it and said: “I don’t think the comparison hurts Alcaraz. He’s good enough. He will go his own way and it’s a nice coincidence that, after my career, someone like Carlos comes along. It’s difficult in the same country to have two players among the best in history.”
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Ranked no.154, Nadal played his last match on the 29th
of July when he surrendered to world no.2 Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-4 in the 2nd round in Paris (draw).This season Nadal has achieved a composed 12-7 win-loss record. Rafael Nadal’s most significant result of the present season was reaching the final in Bastad.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2024
Ranked no.3, Alcaraz played his last match on the 29th of August when he lost to world no.74 Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-1 7-5 6-4 in the 2nd round of the U.S. Open (draw).
This season the Spaniard has managed to achieve a compiled 39-9 record. Carlos clinched 3 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells, French Open and Wimbledon. The Spaniard was the finalist in Paris.
Carlos Alcaraz will take on the world no.354 Gabi Adrian Boitan in the . In the past, they have never played each other as of now in top tournaments.
The Spaniard conquered 3 titles in 2024 in Indian Wells, French Open and Wimbledon. The Spaniard reached the final in Paris (Olympics).
Carlos 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 and Carlos Alcaraz squared off 3 times. Their current 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.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz |
| Embed from Getty Images |