Rafael Nadal, the 38-year-old tennis legend, faced a tough defeat against fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday, falling 6-3, 6-3 in the semi-finals of the “Six Kings Slam” event in Saudi Arabia. The match marked a bittersweet moment for Nadal, who recently announced that he would retire after the upcoming Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month.
Despite his illustrious career, including 22 Grand Slam titles, Nadal admitted that his fitness is no longer at the level required to compete with the sport’s elite. In a post-match press conference, Nadal acknowledged that he was no longer playing at his peak, saying, “I know I’m going to play against players that are in much better shape than me because they are on the professional tour and winning tournaments.”
Carlos Alcaraz praises Rafael Nadal after win
Carlos Alcaraz, who has had a stellar year, winning both the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024, expressed mixed emotions about his victory. The 21-year-old star described the moment as “a little bit sad” as the Saudi crowd heavily supported Nadal.
“It’s not a really comfortable moment for me,” Alcaraz said, adding, “Once you step on the court, it’s no friends, no idols, but I think this is his moment right now.”
Alcaraz’s performance solidifies his status as one of the sport’s rising stars, but he remained humble, acknowledging Nadal’s legendary career and the emotional weight of their encounter.
Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic
Nadal’s defeat comes ahead of what he has called his “last dance” at the Davis Cup Finals, set to be held next month. Before that, Nadal will face long-time rival Novak Djokovic on Saturday in the battle for third place in the Saudi exhibition, a nostalgic rematch of two of the sport’s greatest competitors. Reflecting on his upcoming clash with Djokovic, Nadal said, “Having Novak in front, it’s like a nostalgic thing. We faced each other plenty of times, so it’s going to be good fun to play each other again one more time in this match.”
Nadal’s physical condition remains a concern as he approaches his retirement. He admitted that while he is emotionally prepared for the Davis Cup, he is uncertain about his fitness. “Emotionally I’m sure I will be ready. In terms of physically, in terms of tennis level, I mean, (there) remains a month,” he stated, adding that he would not hesitate to withdraw from singles matches if he felt he couldn’t compete at his best.
Davis Cup and Rafael Nadal legacy
As Nadal prepares for his final tournament, fans around the world will be watching closely to see how the tennis icon will close out his career. His partnership with Alcaraz in men’s doubles at the Olympic Games earlier this year could be reprised at the Davis Cup, offering one last glimpse of Nadal’s enduring legacy in the sport.
Though his singles form may be in question, Nadal’s leadership and experience could be pivotal for Spain’s Davis Cup campaign. Regardless of the outcome, his contribution to tennis has already cemented him as one of the all-time greats.
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