Rafael Nadal: ‘Carlos Alcaraz reminds me of myself at 17 or 18’
On Saturday, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz will play in the Indian Wells semi-final. Two Spaniards will battle for the second time after Madrid last year, and it should be a much tighter encounter than in Caja Magica last May.
An 18-year-old Alcaraz has made brilliant progress since August 2020, gaining almost 300 positions on the ATP ranking list and challenging a couple of Nadal’s age records. Nadal and Alcaraz claimed the first ATP title at a similar age, and there was not much to separate them while there were entering the top-20.
Carlos showed his full potential in 2021, lifting the first ATP trophy in Umag and reaching the first Major quarter-final at the US Open.A teenager wrapped up an incredible year with the ATP Next Gen Finals title in Milan and set eyes on even higher goals in 2022.
This season, Carlos has lost only one match, falling to Matteo Berrettini in a thriller at the Australian Open before embracing a notable streak. Alcaraz became the youngest ATP 500 (since 2009) champion in Rio de Janeiro and earned his first Davis Cup victory against Romania at home in Spain.
Entering Indian Wells as the 19th seed, Carlos defeated Mackenzie McDonald, Roberto Bautista Agut and Gael Monfils in straight sets to hit the quarter-final, as the youngest player since Michael Chang in 1989.
Carlos Alcaraz has been following Rafael Nadal’s numbers.
On Thursday night, a teenager dethroned Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-3 to reach his first Masters 1000 semi-final and set the clash against his childhood idol Rafael Nadal.
Rafa has been following Carlos’ progress for years, and he is delighted with the youngster’s current level. Nadal and Alcaraz should enter the top-15 within one day from each other, and it’s another stat where there is nothing to separate them.
Speaking about Carlos ahead of their second meeting, Rafa admitted he reminds him of himself at 17 and 18.”Carlos has a great team next to him. I think he will be unstoppable in terms of his career. He has all the ingredients and passion.
Also, he is humble enough to work hard. Carlos reminds me a lot of myself when I was 17 or 18. I think he has the passion, talent and physical components,” Rafael Nadal said.
