Alcaraz, on Nadal: "He is a truly important person in my life, in my career"

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 16 Oct 2024 | 22.30

Carlos Alcaraz talks about his upcoming match against Rafa Nadal at the Six Kings Slam. Photo: Getty

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Carlos Alcaraz was fulfilling his role as the favorite without too many complications in his first match at the Six Kings Slam 2024 to set up a showdown with Rafa Nadal in the semifinals. The world number two is maintaining his pace in this exhibition tournament, which will likely witness the last clash between the Spaniard and the Balearic, with the latter still active. Carlitos shared some interesting words about his season, his participation in the event held in Saudi Arabia, and his upcoming match with Rafa.

The conditions and his victory over Holger Rune

"For me, these conditions are a bit tricky, but I try to make them more challenging for my opponents, the ball flies a lot, bounces a lot, something I really like, so I enjoy my tennis, I am enjoying my time here on this court. It is a pleasure to play in front of all of you," Alcaraz confessed to the tournament microphones once his match was over. "I enjoy every second I spend on the court."

"I try to adapt my game to these conditions, to this court. At the beginning, I struggled a bit with how I had to return, if I had to do it inside or not. I had to find the solutions, but once I found them, I started playing better and better, and I think it was harder for him than it was for me."

A year of ups and downs

"It has been a really good year for me, a bit of a rollercoaster, I have to say as well. I have won significant tournaments this season, but at the same time, there were several tournaments where I did not play as I would have liked. Obviously, I have learned something in every tournament I have participated in, so it is fantastic to compete during the year in the tournaments I have played. It is very good for me to come here, quiet my mind a bit, play good tennis, and have fun."

Emotional words for Rafa Nadal

"I have been watching his matches since I started playing tennis. I admire him a lot; he has been and still is my idol. Of course, it is sad that he announces his retirement from tennis. He is a truly important person in my life, in my career; he was one of the reasons why I wanted to be a professional tennis player. Knowing that he is retiring is tough for everyone, for me. It is a privilege to face him once again; it will be challenging for me, but I will try to enjoy the opportunity to share the court with him.

I saw him at the hotel, and we were able to talk a little about things outside of tennis, about life. I will go all out in the semifinal, at full power. It does not surprise me that he trains at 100%, hitting the ball really hard, feeling it very well because he is a legend, no matter that he has not been on tour for four months. I know he will come back stronger than ever. I will try to play good tennis, at the same level, and without fear."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz, sobre Nadal: "Es una persona verdaderamente importante en mi vida, en mi carrera"