Madrid Open set for ‘encounter between present and future’ as Rafael Nadal takes on Carlos Alcaraz

Caja Magica will play host to a “special match” on Wednesday when Spain’s greatest tennis player Rafael Nadal takes on rising star Carlos Alcaraz.
Many believe teenager Alcaraz, who turns 18 on Wednesday, is the heir to Nadal’s throne and the pair will meet in a generational clash in the second round of the Madrid Open.
The duo have practised together in the past, but Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya rates Alcaraz very highly, but knows the youngster still needs a lot of experience at the top.
Nadal & Alcaraz’s first practice together 😎
Hopefully the first of many! 🙌
🎥: @alcarazcarlos03 (IG) | @RafaelNadal | #NextGenATP pic.twitter.com/5VK8PoPBW6
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 6, 2021
“It’s going to be a special match,” Moya is quoted as saying by ATPTour.com. “It is an encounter between the present, because Rafa is still the present and has been for many years, and the immediate future.
“I think that Alcaraz is going to be a great player. He’s already very good, although he’s still lacking that experience and he’s in the process of improving. It’s a natural generational succession.”
Double delight for Carlos Alcaraz as he claims ‘special win’ and earns ‘dream’ match against Rafael Nadal
At the age of 34, Nadal is in the twilight of his career while Alcaraz still has his whole career ahead of him and Moya knows that the 20-time Grand Slam winner is still the man to beat.
“Rafa will not last forever, that’s life, unfortunately,” Moya said. “In a few years, I think Carlos will be one of the players in the fight for Grand Slams. Maybe they will meet in the final of a big tournament.
“Rafa has been at an extremely high level for many years and Carlos in one or two years may be perfectly ready to fight for those tournaments. But we’re in 2021, and at the moment, Rafa still has that experience and the game that we believe is good enough to fight for any tournament.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
WTA Tour
Naomi Osaka’s nightmare run continues: How big a setback is the Cincy defeat ahead of the US Open?
Naomi Osaka’s latest defeat a big blow ahead of the US Open.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal explains how he deals with pressure after Carlos Alcaraz’s frank admission
Rafael Nadal says it is about “playing freely” and “just enjoying every match”.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu resumes trial with Dmitry Tursunov: ‘We need to see how we compliment each other’
Emma Raducanu and Dmitry Tursunov working together again in Cincinnati.
-
ATP Tour
Cincinnati schedule and streaming details: When are Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, Nick Kyrgios playing?
A couple of big guns open their Western & Southern Open accounts on Tuesday.
-
US Open
Daniil Medvedev ‘would love to see’ Novak Djokovic play at US Open to reignite his rivalry with Rafael Nadal
Daniil Medvedev wants to see Novak Djokovic play at the US Open.
-
Tennis News
Iga Swiatek hoping to catch Serena Williams’ eye and say ‘hi’, but admits she is ‘too shy’ to introduce herself
Will Iga Swiatek get to say “hi” to Serena Williams before the tennis icon retires?
-
WTA Tour
Serena Williams vs Emma Raducanu: What time is the big match and where to watch it…
A quick lowdown on the mouthwatering Serena Williams vs Emma Raducanu clash.
-
WTA Tour
Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina shakes off slow start for Cincy win, but Leylah Fernandez exits
Elena Rybakina gets out of early trouble to advance in Cincy.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz admits he ‘couldn’t handle the pressure’ in Montreal, but eyes improvement in Cincy
Carlos Alcaraz determined to step up after Montreal disappointment.
-
ATP Tour
Gutsy Andy Murray hoping for a day off before battle of the Brits
Andy Murray needs a day off before his battle of the Brits showdown with Cameron Norrie.