By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, October 10, 2024
Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty
The king of mud Rafael Nadal Suffering is said to be a prerequisite for Grand Slam success.
Carlos Alcaraz said Nadal’s retirement is a painful prospect for him and the sport
More: Rafael Nadal announces his 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 for his reaction to Nadal announcing he would officially retire after playing for Spain in next month’s Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga, Spain.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who partnered Nadal in a stunning Nadalcaraz doubles dream team at the Paris Olympics last summer, said the clay-court king is not only his idol but an inspiration young Carlitos to pursue a pro tennis career.
“It was hard to accept. I was a bit shocked,” Alcaraz said of Nadal’s retirement announcement. “Thankfully I saw it like an hour before the game, so I had time to take it in and forget it just before the game.
“It’s a really hard thing, really hard news for everyone, even harder for me. He has been my idol since I started playing tennis. I turn to him.
“Proudly, thanks to him, I really wanted to become a professional tennis player. Losing him, in a way, will be difficult for us, so I will try to enjoy as much as I can when he plays. “
The good news is that the Spanish superstars will be teammates in Spain’s Davis Cup squad next month.
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.
Captain Ferrer said Nadal is already training for the Davis Cup Final 8 and plans to play the exhibition 6 Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia next month as part of his Davis Cup preparation.
“I’m very excited to have Rafa and I’m very proud of this team and what we’ve achieved so far. We hope we can give great joy in Malaga,” Ferrer told Spanish media. “There are still two months left, but his idea is to be at the exhibition in Saudi Arabia, he is preparing for it, he is already training on the pitch and that is important.
“It is possible that he will play something else, but from today his schedule is to play the exhibition, in which he will have to prepare well because the level will be very high. If Rafa tells me he wants to be in Malaga, I know it will be good because he is very honest.”
Alcaraz said he will enjoy his final moments on the court with his tennis idol, mentor and friend.
“But we’re going to play in Saudi Arabia and then the Davis Cup, so I’ll try to enjoy my time with him as much as possible, but, yeah, it’s a shame for tennis and for me.” Alcaraz said.
