Carlos Alcaraz grew up idolizing Rafael Nadal, but the 22-time Grand Slam champion does not believe his compatriot needs much advice anymore.
There has been widespread sadness in the tennis world since Nadal announced he would retire from professional tennis after next month's Davis Cup Finals on home soil in Malaga.
Those emotions since Nadal's announcement are especially acute in Spain. The country will say goodbye to its greatest-ever tennis player next month after a career that established him as one of the three best players ever, along with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
However, one source of comfort for Spain is they have already found their next superstar. Alcaraz is a four-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 at just 21, which is staggering.
His supreme talent and work ethic mean only injuries could stop him from winning several more significant titles in the coming years. He is also a fan favorite because of his electrifying style, which includes incredible shot-making.
Alcaraz played against his childhood hero Nadal for almost certainly the final time before he retires on Thursday at the Six Kings Slam, an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia featuring Nadal, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune.
Despite a spirited effort from Nadal after his years of physical issues, Alcaraz defeated his idol to set up a meeting in the final against the world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Many feel Alcaraz and Sinner's rivalry is the next great one in the sport.
Nadal may be Alcaraz's idol, and the two will probably play doubles together in the Davis Cup Finals next month, but the 38-year-old said he does not believe Alcaraz needs much advice now at this stage of his development.
"I think he doesn’t need much advice now. He’s showing everyone that he has a great team next to him and a great family. So I think he’s going to be going very well with what he has."
"He’s learning all the time and we can see that he’s evolving in every single way. But of course, I will be ready anytime he wants to call me."
The 14-time French Open champion also recounted seeing Alcaraz practice for the first time at the 2021 Australian Open. After watching him, he quickly realized his younger compatriot was a special talent.
"[I heard] he’s winning, he’s special. People were telling me that somebody very good is coming now. But of course, I didn’t have the chance to watch him play until I was practicing with him in Australia in 2021. And even if he was very young, you saw things that you don’t see in the others. You can see now."
Alcaraz is living up to the high expectations placed on him, and he is likely to get even better over the coming years as his game develops and matures further.
Nadal will play against Djokovic on the same day as Sinner and Alcaraz's match. Hopefully, what is likely to be their final meeting ends with a high-quality match after all their incredible battles over the years.
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