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Carlos Alcaraz Reflects on Facing Rafael Nadal: "Kind of a Nightmare"

Posted : 20 September 2024

Carlos Alcaraz expressed his initial awe when he first faced Rafael Nadal, describing the experience as "kind of a nightmare." Speaking ahead of the Laver Cup in Berlin, the 21-year-old world No. 3 recalled the magnitude of competing against the 22-time Grand Slam champion. "It was a huge thing when I played him for the first time," Alcaraz shared, indicating how daunting it felt to share the court with a player he admired.

 

Having already secured four Grand Slam titles, including his first at the 2022 US Open, Alcaraz has continued to carve out his legacy in tennis. Nadal, who won his most recent major at the French Open that same year, was scheduled to play alongside Alcaraz in Berlin but withdrew due to ongoing injury concerns. Alcaraz acknowledged the challenge of competing against Nadal, emphasizing the privilege it was to share the court with him. "Every time I faced him, I tried to be a good enough player to beat him," he added.

 

While there had been speculation about Nadal potentially retiring at the Laver Cup, following in the footsteps of his great rival Roger Federer, Nadal has decided to continue competing. Alcaraz is set to partner with German Alexander Zverev for Team Europe, with their first match against Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton from Team World. Zverev praised Alcaraz, calling it a privilege to play alongside someone already regarded as a tennis legend.

 

The Laver Cup has seen Team Europe dominate in its first four editions since 2017, although Team World has won the last two. Alcaraz, who holds the most Grand Slam titles of any current player besides Nadal and Novak Djokovic, is seen as a pivotal figure in the sport's future. Team World captain John McEnroe lauded Alcaraz as "the biggest breath of fresh air we've had in the sport in 10 years," highlighting the positive energy and emerging talent that promise to keep men's tennis vibrant.

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