Rafael Nadal gives Carlos Alcaraz virtual ‘very strong hug’ for Wimbledon title win
Two-time champion Rafael Nadal congratulated new Wimbledon men’s singles champion Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.
Alcaraz beat seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in five sets to claim a maiden Wimbledon title.
Nadal, who won in 2008 and 2010, didn’t play this year’s tournament due to injury.
“Congratulations, Carlos Alcaraz. You have given us immense joy today and I am sure that our pioneer in Spanish tennis, Manolo Santana, has also been cheering wherever he is, such as Wimbledon, whom you have joined today,” tweeted Nadal.
“A very strong hug and enjoy the moment, champion!”
Enhorabuena @carlosalcaraz . Nos has dado una alegría inmensa hoy y seguro que nuestro pionero en el tenis español, Manolo Santana, también ha estado animando allá dónde esté como de Wimbledon al que hoy te has unido.
Un abrazo muy fuerte y a disfrutar del momento ¡¡¡Campeón!!!… pic.twitter.com/y0j2GowX3O— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) July 16, 2023
Alcaraz became the first player other than Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray to win Wimbledon’s men’s singles title since 2002. This is his second grand slam title. He won the US Open in 2022.
“It’s a dream come true for me. I said before it so good to win but even if would have lost I would be really proud of myself,” said Alcaraz.
“Making history in this beautiful tournament, playing a final against a legend of the sport. It’s a dream come true.
“It was unbelievable to play in these stages. It’s amazing for a boy – 20 years-old – I didn’t expect to reach this situation really fast.”
Meanwhile, former Australian Open, French Open and US Open champion Mats Wilander is confident Djokovic will bounce back from Sunday’s defeat.
Djokovic was visibly frustrated during the fifth set – and broke a racket after striking a net post.
“For Novak, he is going to learn from this loss and the lessons, and from hitting the net post, because I’m sure that is going to be a big regret. Great champions respond,” Wilander told Eurosport.
“That match was absolutely incredible. To have played on grass as little as he has and to be up against Novak is unbelievable, I’m nearly speechless.
“What a great champion we have in Carlos Alcaraz, and everything he does on a tennis court is so admirable to me.
“It is harder and harder to win it, and it is more physical, but Alcaraz is such a physical specimen. He is not going anywhere because he is so good and so focused.”
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