By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Photo: Fayez Nureldine/AFPGetty
Nadalcaraz lives
Rafael Nadal inspired Carlos Alcaraz to pursue a pro tennis career.
The reigning Roland Garros champion vows not to give the king of clay the royal treatment when the pair meet in a Blockbuster Six Kings Slam semi-final exhibition in Riyadh.
More: Rafael Nadal announces his retirement from tennis
Alcaraz beat Holger Rune 6-4, 6-2 today to set up a Six Kings Slam semi-final against his hero, Nadal, who announced his retirement last week.
The Alcaraz vs. Nadal exhibition match is set for tomorrow, Thursday, October 17, at 2:00 PM ET.
Although Spanish Davis Cup teammates Alcaraz and Nadal will be together for the 38-year-old Spanish superstar’s final event in the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga, Spain next month, their Six Kings Slam meeting will be their clash last single, excluding future exhibitions. .
Alcaraz said he plans to bring “full power” and no fear against his Olympic doubles partner Nadal.
“I saw him in the hallway. I could talk to him a little bit,” Alcaraz said of Nadal. “I could talk about life, I spent time with him here.
“I’m going to go full force. I’m not surprised that he’s practicing 100 percent, hitting the ball super hard, hitting the ball really, really well. I’m not surprised at all.
“The legend that he is, it doesn’t matter that he’s been away from tennis for three or four months. He’s going to come back as strong as ever. I’m going to try to play at the same level that I’m playing. But obviously I’m going to full without fear.”
Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who was Nadal’s partner in a stunning Nadalcaraz doubles dream team at the Paris Olympics last summer, said the 22-time Grand Slam champion inspired the younger Carlitos to pursue a pro tennis career.
“Since I started playing tennis, I’ve watched his matches,” Alcaraz said of Nadal. “I look up to him. I grew up watching him. He’s my idol.
“It is sad to know that he will retire from tennis. A really important person for my life, for my career. He is one of the reasons I wanted to become a professional tennis player. It’s a privilege to play against him again. It will be difficult for me, but I will try to enjoy the division of the field once again, it is really difficult for everyone”.
Spanish captain David Ferrer named Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreño Busta, Marcel Granollers and Nadal in the squad for the 8th Davis Cup final, set for November 19-24 at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga, Spain. So there is a prospect of a possible Nadalcaraz reunion in front of the home fans at the King of Clay’s farewell.
The Six Kings Slam showdown gives fans a chance to see two of the best forehands in Open Era history on screen.
Former world No. 1 Jim Courier has called Nadal’s forehand the best ever.
Asked if he considers Nadal’s left arm better than his right arm, Alcaraz offered a diplomatic answer.
“I’ve just started my career, so I have to choose Rafa’s forehand at the moment,” Alcaraz said. “But I’m really happy with my forehand, so let’s see at the end of my career who has the best forehand.”
