Carlos Alcaraz looks back on Rafael Nadal's 'eternal' legacy and Spain's Davis Cup exit
Rising Spanish star Alcaraz paid tribute to teammate and idol Rafael Nadal, the two-time Olympic champion who retired at the Davis Cup.
Tennis
As one Spanish tennis great bows out, another one is stepping up.
The 2024 Davis Cup was the final stage for Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion playing his final professional match in Spain’s quarter-final defeat against the Netherlands on Tuesday (19 November).
Spain lost the tie 2-1, with their sole point recorded by Carlos Alcaraz. The world number three in men's singles has been up there with the best for years, and with his idol ‘Rafa’ in retirement, the time is now for ‘Carlitos’ to step into his shoes.
“I think that he was one of the best ambassadors for tennis; his legacy is going to be eternal,” Alcaraz said of Nadal in a press conference in the early hours after Spain’s quarter-final defeat. “He has been great for tennis, for this sport in general. It is difficult, at least for me. I don't want to think that I should continue the legacy that he has left.
“It is difficult, almost impossible. I will try to do my best, but right now, it's time to say just great things about Rafa, what he has done during his career. I think he has said everything, but the way he left tennis, it is incredible.”
Nadal fell to a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp in the opening match of the tie on Tuesday, before Alcaraz brought It level 1-1 with a 7-6 (0), 6-3 victory against Tallon Griekspoor.
However, Alcaraz could not complete the comeback in the doubles match, as he and Marcel Granollers were defeated 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) in Nadal’s last hurrah.
Nadal and Alcaraz played together at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in the affectionately named ‘Nadalcaraz’ doubles team, reaching the quarter-finals.
Both former world number ones, Nadal won two Olympic gold medals in his career, while Alcaraz won silver in the men’s singles event in Paris.
Reflecting on his Davis Cup experience, Alcaraz said, “I lived a new experience for me. I have played the Davis Cup before, but I have never [gone] out to the court 1-0 [down] knowing that I have to win. This experience is going to be really helpful for my future, for my career, playing with the pressure that I have to win.”
The four-time Grand Slam champion continued, “I love playing doubles, everything is decided in the doubles. A lot of difficult points, a lot of tense moments that for sure is gonna help me a lot in my career.”