After facing Carlos Alcaraz in Vegas, Rafa Nadal offered succinct analysis of the Wimbledon winner.
By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, March 4, 2024
Rafael Nadal came nose-to-nose with compatriot Carlos Alcaraz at net.
Facing the Wimbledon winner in an entertaining Netflix Slam exhibition in Las Vegas on Sunday, Nadal sees Alcaraz as a champion with a phenomenal future.
Launching his comeback with a 3-6, 6-4, 14-12 loss to Alcaraz in The Netflix Slam, Nadal said Alcaraz’s promising presence delivers both good news and better news.
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The good news?
In his planned farewell season, the 37-year-old Spanish superstar joked he won’t have to face the 20-year-old Alcaraz too often.
“It’s a good thing that as a player I will not face him many times,” Nadal said.
The better news?
The king of clay says Spanish tennis is in strong hands with two-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz an “amazing” player fully capable of carrying the Spanish flag—and the sport—forward to new heights.
“As a fan, I will enjoy watching him for many years hopefully,” Nadal said. “In Spain, we should be very, very happy about having someone like Carlos coming.
“He’s an amazing player. He’s only 20-years-old and he’s already won two Grand Slams and a couple of important tournaments.”
Photo credit: David Becker/Getty for Netflix Slam
