Carlos Alcaraz has recalled the first time he played Rafael Nadal and admitted he was intimidated by his legendary countryman’s routines.
Nadal’s intense pre-match warmup routine, which involved jumping and sprinting in the corridor, was an iconic element of his aura.
The 2021 Madrid Masters played host to the first encounter between Alcaraz and Nadal.
The second round match was contested on Alcaraz’s 18th birthday, and Nadal showed no mercy as he claimed a crushing 6-1, 6-2 win.
The Spanish duo faced off twice more — both times in 2022 — with Nadal winning in the Indian Wells semi-finals before Alcaraz prevailed in their final meeting in the last eight at the Madrid Open.
Alcaraz reflected on his his 2021 Madrid showdown with his idol Nadal in his Netflix documentary series: Carlos Alcaraz: My Way.
“I remember the first time I played against Rafael Nadal at the Madrid Open. It was a special moment. I was turning 18,” the four-time Grand Slam winner said.
“You see Rafa Nadal doing his routine. Jumping, sprinting around. You could see it on my face, I didn’t know where to hide. Scared to death would be an understatement.”
Alcaraz has frequently been compared to Nadal, but the 21-year-old asserted that he does not want to be viewed as the Mallorcan icon’s successor.
“I don’t want to be called Rafa’s successor,” the world No 3 said. “I want to be called Carlos Alcaraz Garfia.”
Nadal, who spoke in the documentary, echoed Alcaraz’s thoughts on the comparisons.
“When you’re young and they’re constantly comparing you to some professional that’s been on the circuit for many years, there are times you get tired of hearing it,” the 22-time major winner said.
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“This leads to an excess of pressure and in the end, I think it can distort your daily life and even confuse you.”
Following Nadal’s retirement at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in November, Alcaraz paid tribute to his teammate.
“I think that he was one of the best ambassadors for tennis,” Alcaraz said in a press conference. “His legacy is going to be eternal. You know, he has been great for tennis, for this sport in general.
“It is difficult, at least for me. I don’t want to think that I should continue the legacy that he has left. It is difficult, almost impossible.
“I will try to do my best, but right now, it’s time to say, you know, just great things about Rafa, what he has done, during his career.
“I think he has said everything, but, you know, the way he left tennis, it is incredible. Probably he was one of the players that put tennis, you know, in the top of sport in the top of the world. So it is just great to have had Rafa in tennis and in this period in my life.”
