Nadal Throws a Lifeline to Alcaraz: "He Will Come Back Strong After the Injury, He Is Too Good for It Not to Be That Way"

Carlos Navarro | 10 Jun 2026 | 14.39

What does Nadal think of Alcaraz's return? Source: Getty

Streaming ATP Stuttgart live tennis

🎾 Martin Landaluce vs Taylor Fritz

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

Rafael Nadal has returned to the public eye after his documentary, RAFA, premiered on Netflix. Becoming one of the biggest releases in the platform's history, the life lessons and acceptance of suffering that the manacorí has shared have impressed players, fans, and experts of a sport that never loses its intensity for a second... and that can demand a very costly toll on the path to success.

The Spanish players who followed Rafa at the top know this well: some faced him and even defeated him, like Carlos Alcaraz; others were trained at his Academy, actively being part of the legacy the Balearic leaves in the sport, like Martín Landaluce, and others simply took him as an example in their formative years, observing him from a distance and coinciding with him from another perspective, like Rafa Jódar (as seen in Saudi Arabia during the past Next Gen Finals).

What advice does Rafael Nadal give to young Spanish tennis players?

So, when asked about the present and future of Spanish tennis, Rafa emphasizes its brilliance... but also stresses the importance of patience and the key indicators that will lead to resounding success or mere mediocrity. In this regard, the manacorí is very clear on what we should focus on: "I always talk about the same thing regarding young players: their ability to improve will shape their future. Carlos is already one of the best players in history, and for others, we will have to wait, even though we know they are very good, to see what their daily improvement capacity is."

This improvement capacity is evident when discussing Rafa Jódar. "I believe Rafa has shown a very strong progression in this past year, going from being 900th to around 20th in the world, I don't know the exact ranking, but around there. It demonstrates that only someone with great ability can achieve such a feat", praise that aligns with the words he shared in person last December. He also commends Landaluce, whom he knows well from his time in the Manacor Academy: "Martín is someone from here at the Academy, who has taken big steps forward this year. He has progressed immensely in these last months", stated the Balearic.

💪 "Carlos (Alcaraz) will come back from the injury, he will come back strong, because he is too good for it not to be so"

🎙️🇪🇸 @RafaelNadal reviews the current state of Spanish tennis and talks about Alcaraz, Landaluce, and Jódar's progression pic.twitter.com/unqlQtGIQ5
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) June 10, 2026

And what about Carlos Alcaraz? There were also words of praise for him, beyond being described as already one of the best in history, as mentioned earlier; the Balearic was firm and unequivocal in speculating how his return to the circuit will be. "Carlos will come back strong after the injury, because he is too good for it to be otherwise". Complete confidence in his abilities, his tennis, and his work: that's how Rafa feels about the return of the Murcian, who is expected to make his comeback by August at the earliest, during the North American hardcourt swing. Do you share Rafa's optimism, or are you a bit more pessimistic about Carlitos' return?

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Nadal echa un capote a Alcaraz: "Volverá bien tras la lesión, es demasiado bueno para que no sea así"

Rafael Nadal