Carlos Alcaraz ‘can’t imagine tennis’ without Rafael Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz admitted on Saturday that it is impossible to “imagine tennis without Rafa” as he hailed superstar compatriot Rafael Nadal as the legend closes in on the end of his career.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 03: (L-R) Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz pose for a photo during The Netflix Slam, a live Netflix Sports event at the MGM Resorts | Michelob Ultra Arena on March 03, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Netflix © 2024)

Carlos Alcaraz admitted on Saturday that it is impossible to “imagine tennis without Rafa” as he hailed superstar compatriot Rafael Nadal who is closing in on the end of his career.

Nadal, a 22-time grand slam champion, will be 38 in June and has made just a handful of appearances since January 2023 due mostly to a hip injury.

His next will come against Australia’s Alex De Minaur in Madrid, but the last is getting closer with every match - a reality the Madrid Open defending champion doesn’t want to face.

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz is dreading the end of Rafael Nadal’s decorated career. Picture: AFP

“I don’t want to imagine it yet. Like any Rafa fan, like any tennis fan, no one wants to imagine the tour without Rafa,” Alcaraz, 20, said.

“Personally, I want to make the most of Rafa, every time he steps on the court, whenever he can play.

“I know that’s what he wants, that’s what he craves, and that he works for it day in, day out to feel competitive, to be able to go out on the court and try to win.

“Whenever I can, I will be there to enjoy his tennis as much as possible.”

Spain's Rafael Nadal will face Alex De Minaur in the third round. Picture: AFP

Nadal will attempt to reach the third round when he faces 25-year-old De Minaur, the man who knocked him out of the Barcelona tournament last week.

De Minaur, who is ranked 11th in the world, trails 3-2 in the career head-to-head with Nadal but hasn’t lost to the tennis legend since 2020.

Australia's Alex De Minaur has beaten Rafael Nadal the past two times they have faced off. Picture: AFP

“I would be totally surprised if I beat Alex de Minaur on Saturday,” Nadal told media.

“I’m not here in Madrid aspiring to win the title. Saturday is just an opportunity to understand where I am.

“In Barcelona against him I played well for one set.”

Nadal hasn’t said this will be his final year but all signs are pointing towards that last match coming sooner rather than later.

Originally published as Carlos Alcaraz ‘can’t imagine tennis’ without Rafael Nadal