Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal wrote Spanish tennis history this year after wrapping up the season in the top-2. Carlos and Rafa claimed three out of four Major titles and conquered nine ATP titles, including five notable ones. Rafa and Carlos met for the first time at the Madrid Masters in 2021. A teenager experienced an injury in the early stages and finished the clash with a couple of games on his tally. Their next duel came at this year’s Indian Wells, which went down to the wire, as expected. An 18-year-old Alcaraz has made brilliant progress since August 2020, gaining almost 300 positions on the ATP ranking list until this March 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. Carlos suffered a tight loss to Matteo Berrettini at this year’s Australian Open before conquering Rio de Janeiro, becoming the youngest ATP 500 champion since 2009. 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 and Rafael Nadal finished the season in the top-2.
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 followed Carlos’ progress for years, delighted with the youngster’s current level. Speaking about Carlos before their second meeting in the desert, Rafa admitted he reminds him of himself at 17 and 18. Nadal and Alcaraz made their Indian Wells clash memorable, as the more experienced Spaniard prevailed after over three hours.
“Carlos has a great team next to him. I think he will be unstoppable in terms of his career. Carlos 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.