Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Photo credit: Fayez Nureldine/AFPGetty
Nadalcaraz he continues.
Rafael Nadal inspired Carlos Alcaraz pursuing a professional tennis career.
The reigning Roland Garros champion vows not to give the King of Clay the royal treatment when the pair meet in the semi-finals of the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh.
More: Rafael Nadal Announces Retirement From Tennis
Alcaraz beat Holger Rune 6-4, 6-2 today to set up a Six Kings Slam semifinal vs. his hero, Nadal, who announced his retirement last week.
The exhibition match of Alcaraz vs. Nadal is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, October 17, at 2 pm Eastern time.
Although Spanish Davis Cup teammates Alcaraz and Nadal will be together in the 38-year-old Spanish star’s final event at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga, Spain next month, their Six Kings Slam meeting will be their last clash, may prevent future shows. .
Alcaraz said he plans to bring “full strength” and no fear against his two-time Olympic teammate Nadal.
“I saw him in the hallway. I can talk to him a little bit,” Alcaraz said of Nadal. “I could talk about life, I had time with him here.
“I’m going to go full of energy. I’m not surprised that he’s training 100 percent, hitting the ball a lot, hitting the ball really, really well. I’m not surprised at all.
“He’s a legend, it doesn’t matter if he stayed away from tennis for three or four months. He’ll come back as strong as before. I’ll try to play at the same level I’m playing. But obviously I’m playing.” I will go full without fear.”
Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who partnered with Nadal in Nadalcaraz’s incredible doubles dream team at the Paris Olympic Games last summer, said the 22-year-old Grand Slam champion inspired young Carlitos to pursue a career in tennis.
“Since I started playing tennis, I have watched his matches,” said Alcaraz about Nadal. “I look up to him, I grew up watching him, he is my idol.
“It’s sad to know that he’s going to retire from tennis. He’s a really important person in my life, in my career. He’s one of the reasons why I want to be a professional tennis player. It’s an honor to play against him again. It’s going to be hard for me but I’ll try to enjoy sharing the court and yes it’s hard for everyone.”
Spain captain David Ferrer has named Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreño Busta, Marcel Granollers and Nadal in the squad for the Davis Cup Final 8 scheduled for November 19-24 at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga, Spain. So there is hope for a possible Nadalcaraz encounter before the home fans in the King of Clay’s farewell.
The Six Kings Slam match gives fans the chance to see two of the best singles in Open Era history on display.
Former world No. 1 Hall of Famer Jim Courier called Nadal’s forehand the best of all time.
Asked if he thinks Nadal’s forehand is better than his forehand right, Alcaraz gave a formal answer.
“I just started my career so I have to choose Rafa who is the best at the moment,” said Alcaraz. “But I’m very happy with my front so let’s see at the end of my career who has the better front.”
