Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Thursday, October 10, 2024
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
The king of clay Rafael Nadal he said that suffering is the first requirement for Grand Slam success.
Carlos Alcaraz he said that Nadal’s retirement is a painful opportunity for him and for this sport
More: Rafael Nadal Announces Retirement From Tennis
After Alcaraz was upset 7-6 (5), 7-5 by the 23-year-old Tomas Machac at the Rolex Shanghai Masters today, he was asked how he reacts to Nadal announcing his official retirement after playing for Spain in the Davis Cup Final 8 next month in Malaga, Spain.
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 clay king was not only his idol, he inspired the young Carlitos to pursue a career in tennis.
“It was hard to accept. I was a little shocked,” Alcaraz said of Nadal’s retirement announcement. “I’m thankful that I saw it an hour before the game, so I had time to accept it and forget it a bit before the game.
“It’s really hard, hard news for everyone, and it’s even harder for me. He’s been my idol since I started playing tennis. I look up to him.
“Proudly, thanks to him, I really wanted to be a professional tennis player. Losing him, somehow, will be difficult for us, so I will try to enjoy as much as possible when he will play.”
The good news is that the Spanish stars will play with their colleagues in the Spanish Davis Cup team next month.
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.
Captain Ferrer said that Nadal is already training for the Davis Cup Final 8 and plans to play the 6 Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia next month as part of Davis Cup preparation.
“I’m very happy to be with Rafa and I’m very proud of this team and what we’ve achieved so far. I hope we can give a lot of joy to Malaga,” Ferrer told Spanish media. “There are still two months left but his idea is to be in the exhibition in Saudi Arabia, he is preparing for it, he is training on the field and that is important.
“It is possible that he will play something else but from today his plan is to play this show for which he will have to prepare well because the level will be very high, if Rafa tells me that he wants to be in it. Malaga, I know you will be fine because you are faithful.”
Alcaraz said he will enjoy his last moments on the court with his tennis idol, mentor and friend.
“But we’re going to play in Saudi Arabia, and then it’s the Davis Cup, so I’m going to try to enjoy as much of my time as possible with him, but, yes, it’s a shame for tennis and for me,” Alcaraz said.
