Carlos Alcaraz remains a foodie at heart despite being one of the top tennis players in the world. Tennis is a rigorous sport that demands its players to have strict diets for maximum fitness. Alcaraz, however, revealed in a recent interview that he is passionate about food and joked he will eat anything that is put on the table. He also revealed his favourite dishes, one of which is something Rafael Nadal would choose as well.
Rafael Nadal is seemingly much more disciplined and stern about what he consumes than Carlos Alcaraz. The veteran rarely consumes unhealthy foods and stays vigilant even when indulging in guilty pleasures. The two Spaniards, though, have very similar meals before a match. Even their go-to dishes at home are alike.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal – True Spaniards with food too
Carlos Alcaraz disclosed his eating habits in one interview. He talked about his pre-match meals and guilt foods and named his favourite dishes. The two-time Grand Slam winner said a simple plate of fish with rice is his most-loved dish at home in Murcia. He also mentioned that he loves salt-baked seabass (via SportsLeo).
Growing up in the coastal city of Mallorca, Nadal developed an affinity for seafood that continues to date. The 22-time Grand Slam champion revealed fish to be his favourite dish to have at home. He said he loves fish grilled with olive oil, which he eats with a side of rice or pasta (via CNBC). Rafael Nadal also picked seabass as his choice of fish, saying he likes eating fish that he has caught.
The fish-rice combination favoured by two of Spain’s best tennis players is a staple meal in the Iberian nation. It provides an ideal mix of lean protein without much fat with a side of necessary carbohydrates. One of the country’s most famous dishes, paella, is a combination of rice, vegetables, and meat/seafood. In true Spanish fashion, one of Nadal’s favourite meals is a homemade seafood paella. Both he and Alcaraz cherish the rice-fish pairing, albeit with slight variations, like true-blue Spaniards.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz have similar eating habits around matchdays as well. The latter has a mix of regular and gluten-free pasta with Ambrosia, olive oil, and dates. His senior compatriot, too, consumes pasta before matches, along with the standard meal of fish and white rice. Both prefer having bananas over any other fruit.
Despite their highly regulated meals, both athletes have their guilty pleasures. For Rafael Nadal, chocolates and french fries are a weakness, alongside an occasional drink of rum (via BroBible). Alcaraz, on the other hand, does not care much for sweets but loves pizzas and hamburgers.
When Alcaraz called Nadal his favourite of all-time
As a teenage prodigy coming from Spain, the comparisons with Rafael Nadal were inevitable for Carlos Alcaraz. Unsurprisingly, he grew up idolizing the former World No.1. At the 2023 US Open, he was asked to name his tennis idol and his favourite Spanish athlete, among many other questions in a rapid-fire interview. For both, Alcaraz picked Nadal.
Alcaraz has admitted to having a dream of playing doubles together with his hero at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, he was wary of having high hopes given Nadal continues to struggle with injury. He has remained extremely empathetic towards the legend during his recovery spell.
Rafael Nadal, too, has been looking out for Carlos Alcaraz. He urged fans to not place too many expectations on the young World No.2, cautioning them of its ill effects. He hinted at his own fitness issues, saying an extreme burden of expectations can break an otherwise ambitious player. With Nadal extending his support, Alcaraz can go on to dominate tennis in the coming years.
