Sports
‘He Has a Thousand Lives’ – Carlos Alcaraz Clueless on How to Defeat Idol Rafael Nadal Ahead of Their Madrid Open Quarter-Final Clash
Carlos Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spanish tennis professional, seems like the next big thing in the making. Carlos first hit the headlines when he defeated players such as Monfils and Norrie in straight sets at Indian Wells. Thereafter, he claimed the title at Miami Open and became the youngest man to win the title the event offers. Following that, he entered the elite list by securing the ranking of World no.9.
However, Carlos is about to face Rafael Nadal, the one true fear of almost every tennis professional. Both the Spaniards will lock horns for the second time after their hard-court tussle at Indian Wells. Here’s what Carlos has to say about the upcoming match.
What does Carlos Alcaraz think of the Tennis legend?
Alcaraz outfoxed the British tennis professional Cameron Norrie in the fourth round of the Madrid Open. He got the better of him in three sets of 6-4, 6 (4)- 7 (7), 6-3 and while addressing to the press post his victory he spoke about in next opponent Rafael Nadal. “Honestly, I don’t know,” he admitted when asked if he knew how to defeat Nadal.
Thereafter, he added, “I always say he has a thousand lives. He survives in every match, in every tough match for him.” Even so, Alcaraz hasn’t lost his hope and still thinks he can win against the Rafa. As he said, “I think if I have a really good game then I have chances to win.”
Alcaraz and Nadal’s first encounter
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal met earlier in the semi-finals of the Indian Wells. Even though Rafa was more than happy to see a young blood from Spain with such great potential, he didn’t go easy on him, rather; he gave his best. Rafa incurred a rib injury during the match. However, he played through the pain and, as a fruit of which he earned a seat to the finals.
Alcaraz fought tooth and nail, but Nadal’s experience outdid him. He incurred a defeat against arguably his country’s greatest ever tennis player Rafael Nadal by 4-6, 6-4, 3-6. Though Taylor Fritz slipped the trophy out of Nadal’s hand in the finals.
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain shakes hands with Carlos Alcaraz of Spain after winning their second round match during day seven of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magicaon May 05, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
However, this time the surface is different, and Carlos in the current clay court season hasn’t been that affective. Speaking of Nadal, the king of clay, has just made a comeback after an injury to the ribs.
Therefore, both have some or other thing that might weigh them down. But on the other hand, as both have made up to the quarterfinals, neither Alcaraz nor Nadal is going to let the seat to the semifinals slip out easily of their hands.
Watch this story: Rise-of-a-superstar—Iga Swiatek victorious moments on the WTA tour
The post ‘He Has a Thousand Lives’ – Carlos Alcaraz Clueless on How to Defeat Idol Rafael Nadal Ahead of Their Madrid Open Quarter-Final Clash appeared first on EssentiallySports.
