Rafael Nadal won't be playing at the Barcelona Open and compatriot Carlos Alcaraz called it a shame ahead of the event.
Nadal won't be playing at his beloved Barcelona Open after he pulled out of the event recently and it's disappointing for both the ATP 500 event and fellow competitors. The Spaniard won the event 12 times so far with the last one coming in 2021 when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
It was Alcaraz who replaced Nadal as champion last year thanks to the Spaniard missing the event due to injury and it's a similar script so far. Time will tell if Alcaraz ends up being champion again but he called it a great shame that one of his idols is not there with him.
I always want to see the best players in each tournament. It's a shame not to be able to enjoy his tennis with all that he has achieved and I wish him a speedy recovery.
The withdrawal created a lot of doubt about Nadal's season and his Roland Garros chances but him missing that event would surprise everyone because it's very unlikely. For Alcaraz, it's time to find his form on clay which is a really strong surface for him as he proved earlier this year in South America by winning a trophy in Argentina and reaching a final in Rio.
Preparations for the event went well for Alcaraz as he spoke about practicing with a couple of players and feeling really good about.
I have trained with Shapovalov and Ruud and it has gone very well for me. I need the rhythm of the competition, to play points and with these players I can do it. What I'm learning is that you have to take care of yourself on and off the track. You have to do everything perfectly so that injuries don't come.
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