Rafael Nadal has been one of the best Spanish players to ever play the sport of tennis. He has won a record 21 grand slam titles and was one of the youngest players to enter the top 10 of the ATP ratings.
However, Carlos Alcaraz, his fellow young Spaniard who just turned 19 is rapidly rising up to the ranks in the tennis fraternity. After winning the Barcelona Open, Carlos matched the record of Rafael Nadal as the youngest Spanish tennis player to win the Barcelona Open and also to enter the top 10 ATP rankings.
In the ongoing Madrid Open, fans have more or less gotten what they wanted. The clash between the current best Spanish tennis players, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. Rafael Nadal on one hand has the technique, the plethora of experience and the 21 Grand Slam wins to back him up to win this clash.
Carlos Alcaraz on the other hand is young, energetic and has the momentum guiding him from the Barcelona Title win and unlike Nadal, he isn’t coming into the tournament from an injury. Fans would surely be highly anticipated this clash.
Rafael Nadal downplaying his chances to win against Carlos Alcaraz
In the much-anticipated quarterfinal match against his fellow young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, Nadal has been downplaying his chances to win and feels that Carlos has the edge over him. Carlos is touted as the successor of Rafael, and they will be meeting on Friday to decide on the semifinal fixtures.
This match will surely be considered the clash of two different generations. In their previous two encounters Nadal has won both the matches he played against Alcaraz, however, the 19-year-old is a completely different player right now.
Q. Hopefully Carlos will win. Tomorrow we are going to enjoy a match between two Spanish people. A new rivalry?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no. I don’t think I will reach that rivalry. I’m 36 years old.
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) May 5, 2022
The Caja Magica centre court is expected to be filled with excited fans. When asked about their clash Rafael stated,
“I think that today, he is better than me and he has a good dynamic, a good momentum,”
“I think I am a very realistic person, and that doesn’t take me to not believe that I can win or that I can do it, but today I think that Alcaraz is in a better physical state of mind, is more fit. I came here without playing. He’s younger, so he has that extra energy.”
It is worth noting that Nadal is returning from a six-week-long injury and is a tad bit less prepared than the likes of Carlos Alcaraz. Rafael entered the quarterfinals after a stressful match against David Goffin.
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