Rafael Nadal reveals the ‘most important thing’ for Carlos Alcaraz to have ‘an amazing career’
Rafael Nadal has expressed his belief that Carlos Alcaraz will have “one of the best careers of all time” as he addressed the pressure his young compatriot is contending with.
Alcaraz, who will celebrate his 22nd birthday on 5 May, has already won 18 titles, including four majors and six Masters 1000 crowns. His maiden Grand Slam victory at the 2022 US Open saw him become the youngest player in ATP history to be world No 1 at the age of 19.
The Spanish star has secured titles in Rotterdam and Monte Carlo this year, while he was also a runner-up at the Barcelona Open.
The world No 3 was forced to pull out of the Madrid Masters due to injuries he sustained in his loss to Holger Rune in the Barcelona final.
Despite the impressive heights he has reached this season, Alcaraz faced criticism for his quarter-final exit at the Australian Open and his mixed run of form across events in Doha, Indian Wells and Miami.
In an interview with CNN, Nadal revealed he is not concerned about Alcaraz’s ability to handle pressure, while he identified the “most important thing” for the 21-year-old.
“All of us received the pressure from the media and from the hope that people have about you, but I think at the end, we are humans and we know how to handle that,” said the former world No 1.
“I don’t think for Carlos it’s a big deal holding that pressure. He’s a great player and has a great family behind [him].
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“I think he’s doing great and he’s having an amazing career and he’s going to win much more if he stays out of injury – that’s the most important thing.
“I wish and I really believe that he’s going to have one of the best careers of all time.”
Nadal was also asked about the possibility of following in Andy Murray’s footsteps by becoming a coach on the tennis tour after retiring as a player.
“I mean in this life you can never say never,” the 38-year-old declared.
“It’s difficult to imagine myself now doing this kind of thing… it’s not my moment, at all. I am in a different moment of my life and I don’t see myself traveling now with a player.”
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who called time on his incredible career in November 2024, received the Laureus Sporting Icon Award last week.
Asked how he would like to be remembered, Nadal added: “The results are the results, you know. I won what I won, I lost what I lost, that’s the results and nobody can change that.
“Of course, I will be remembered as a good tennis player, but for me, it’s important to be remembered as a good person, a player who fights as hard as possible but with positive values, being always fair and correct with everyone on court.
“Trying to respect every single moment, for me that’s the most important thing.”
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