In a recent interview with Movistar Plus, Rafael Nadal discussed his potential comeback in 2024 and touched upon Carlos Alcaraz. He urged fans not to burden the young star with expectations, seemingly referring to the ups and downs of his own career. Nadal believes that pressures grow more, the more a player wins.
This is the first time Nadal has addressed Alcaraz and his meteoric rise. The 20-year-old has been termed Nadal’s successor ever since he broke through. Alcaraz chose to skip the Davis Cup after his semi-final exit in the 2023 US Open and faced some criticism. This may have prompted the senior Spaniard to step up and implore the fans to empathise with the prodigy.
Is Carlos Alcaraz like Rafael Nadal?
Bursting onto the scene as a Spanish teenager, the Rafael Nadal comparisons were inevitable for Carlos Alcaraz. His speed, fighting competitive mentality, and aggressive playing style further reminded everyone of his legendary compatriot. Even Novak Djokovic could not help but compare the two left-handed Spaniards.
Speaking to Movistar, Rafael Nadal fired a warning to fans about expecting too much from Carlos Alcaraz. He said the two-time Grand Slam winner has the ambition to succeed but pressure can cause issues in the latter stages of an athlete’s career. Nadal confessed he is not good at handing out advice since he learnt from examples rather than words. It has won him many admirers although he has been criticised for apparently being jealous of Novak Djokovic.
However, Rafael Nadal did impart one bit of advice for Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal pushed Alcaraz to keep improving, as he believes that it keeps a player motivated. He was quoted as saying –
“We should not rush into judgments about him. He has a brutal projection. He has the power, the ambition. But later in the careers of each athlete, many things can happen.
It is difficult to advise him. I am very bad at advising because I have learned more from examples than from words. But if I had to tell him something, I would only tell him to keep improving or at least have the hope of doing it, which is what keeps you motivated.”
”@carlosalcaraz tiene una proyección brutal. Tiene la juventud, la potencia, tiene la ambición…”
▶️ Disfruta de #NADALenMovistarPlus con @juanmacastano: https://t.co/rOx8vzj9iY pic.twitter.com/3NB0shINxf
— Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarPlus) September 19, 2023
Nadal’s experience from over two decades of playing on the tour is indisputable. Excessive expectations and comparisons can bog down Alcaraz, who is only 20. If the youngster is to avoid burning out early or fading away, he should adhere to his iconic compatriot’s words. Fans too, need to heed Nadal’s warning and let Alcaraz flourish on his own.
One thing seems certain though with his confession that Rafael Nadal would himself not take up tennis coaching after retirement. He would rather focus on his business and charity ventures, while having also expressed his desire in the same interview to become Spanish sporting entity, Real Madrid’s President someday.
Will Alcaraz ever get to play with Nadal?
Spain’s Davis Cup captain David Ferrer claimed Rafael Nadal wanted to return at the tournament’s final 8 stage in November. Spain, however, stumbled in the group stage and failed to qualify. Fans were hoping too see Alcaraz and Nadal take to the court together but these hopes were squashed by the Iberian nation’s premature exit.
Alcaraz, who withdrew from the squad days before the event began, faced criticism for pulling out and many held him responsible for the loss. Not all hope is lost, though. Nadal said he would like to partner up with Alcaraz to play doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics (via Olly Tennis on X).
The 22-time Grand Slam champion said that finishing his Olympic career after pairing up with a future star like the current World No.2 would be a great ‘incentive’. Nadal’s comeback will raise the standard of tennis in 2024. Him and Alcaraz are two genuine title challengers to Novak Djokovic, who has otherwise been running wild in Nadal’s absence.
