Landaluce, about Alcaraz: "I was surprised by how normal he was"
The promise of Spanish tennis reveals what his relationship with Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz is like, in addition to sharing his goals.
"I grew up watching Rafa, and we talked about him at home, discussing his matches at the table," said Martín Landaluce, joining the majority of Spanish tennis fans, particularly fans of the Balearic player. The young man from Madrid, ranked 151 in the ATP Ranking, is on standby in case he is needed at the ATP Next Gen Finals 2024 in Jeddah, after a season full of good results but also many learning experiences.
His experience training with Rafa Nadal
"When I was eight or nine, I was glued to the TV, watching all his matches. Then, at 14, I played with him for the first time. It was incredible to step on the court with someone I had idolized for years. It was incredibly inspiring," Martín recounted in an interview with the ATP official website. "I don't usually get nervous in those situations, but training with Rafa was different. His power, his consistency, it was something I had never seen before. In the first 10 minutes, he doesn't mind making mistakes, but after that, he doesn't miss a single shot for the next hour. Every ball is a stroke with perfect depth, just a meter or two above the net. It was incredible."
His relationship with Carlos Alcaraz
"I have a very good relationship with Carlos. We have been in touch for years and have the same manager. When I met him, I was surprised by how down-to-earth he was. It was at the Madrid Masters 1000, and everyone wanted to take pictures with him, but he was very relaxed. I was surprised by how normal he was. He's an amazing guy, and I think that's part of the reason for his success. We first trained together in Madrid in 2022 when I was his sparring partner."
Striving to become a better player
"I try to do many things outside of tennis. I'm learning to play the guitar, I love listening to music, and I enjoy dancing with my family. I also like to read and try new things, like scuba diving. I believe it helps me stay focused and brings me joy, ultimately making me a better player."
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