Rafael Nadal thinks that we should not be quick to throw judgments and reach conclusions about his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz despite his potential as he advised the youngster to keep aiming to improve.
The 22-time major champion admitted that Alcaraz has a “brutal projection” and possesses both “power” and “ambition” but warned that even the finest athletes cannot stop “many things” from happening in the latter stages of their careers.
With a flying start to his career, Alcaraz, 20 has already clinched two GS titles after beating Casper Ruud in the four sets at Flushing Meadows in 2022 and Novak Djokovic – earlier in July this year – at Wimbledon Championships in a five-set marathon final. The Murcia-native became the first player to beat the 24-time Slam champion in a completed match at SW19 since 2016 while also ending his decade-long 45-match win streak at the Center Court of All England Club.
The current ATP #2 has already won 12 titles that also include 4 ATP Masters 1000 tourneys. Looking unstoppable after the Wimbledon 2023, the Spaniard incurred three losses in the North American hardcourt swing at Canadian Open (quarterfinal against Tommy Paul), Cincinnati Open (finals against Djokovic) and US Open (semifinal against Medvedev) to the surprise of everyone because no one saw that coming so quick. However, his 2023 campaign seems is in every way impressive as he sealed 6 titles and finished as a runner-up at the two other events after missing Australian Open through injury.
During a comprehensive sit-in interview at Movistar+, Nadal preached caution with placing expectations on the 20-year-old and divulged the message he has for the established prodigy.
“We should not rush into judgments about him. He has a brutal projection. He has the power, the ambition. But later in the careers of each athlete, many things can happen,” said the Mallorcan.
“It is difficult to advise him. I am very bad at advising because I have learned more from examples than from words. But if I had to tell him something, I would only tell him to keep improving or at least have the hope of doing it, which is what keeps you motivated.”
The 37-year-old has faced his countryman on three occasions and holds a 2-1 series lead over him. Unable to compete because of the injured hip since AO R2 loss to American Mackenzie McDonald, Nadal underwent a procedure on the injured tissues in June and is going through the recovery phase at the moment. The 14-time Roland Garros champion also talked about the pain he continues to deal with while attempting to prepare for one last time for his 2024 farewell campaign.
“[The pain is not gone] but now it is controllable. There are times when the foot does not let me live in peace, it is difficult for me to even go down the stairs, and that happens sometimes. If it hurts it is difficult to be happy, my character changes when it hurts more than necessary,” admitted the 37-year-old.