Rafael Nadal congratulated Carlos Alcaraz as the 21-year-old triumphed at the China Open 2024. The Spaniard defeated Jannik Sinner in a three-set thriller in the final to achieve the feat.
Alcaraz is possibly enjoying the best season of his career, having won the French Open, Wimbledon, and an Olympic silver. However, there have been moments where he has lost his rhythm. He was seen struggling with his form after the Olympics and had a poor outing at the North American hardcourt swings.
However, something seemed to have clicked for the Spaniard during the Laver Cup and he took that form into the China Open. He ousted Giovanni Mpteshi Perricard to kick off his campaigns and followed it up with wins over Tallon Griekspoor and seventh seed Karen Khachanov. The World No. 2 defeated third seed Daniil Medvedev to reach the final. He dropped no set en route to the summit clash.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner engaged in a grueling battle that lasted three hours and 20 minutes. The Spaniard staged an impressive comeback from a set down to clinch the match and the title (6)6-7, 6-4, 7-6(3).
He took to Instagram to share an image with the China Open trophy and wrote:
“A very special 🏆 to end the week after a huge battle with @janniksin! 🤝🏻 Very proud and happy! ❤️ @chinaopen.”
The Spaniard’s idol Rafael Nadal congratulated him in the comments section.
“Congratulations Carlos! 👏🏻💪🏻,” a translated version of Nadal’s comment,
“I don’t want to think that it is a potential last dance for Rafael Nadal” – Carlos Alcaraz on his idol retiring at Davis Cup 2024
Ahead of his campaign at the China Open, Carlos Alcaraz spoke about Nadal’s inclusion in Spain’s squad at the Davis Cup Finals 2024 knockout stages. He mentioned how he missed his idol at the Laver Cup.
“Well, obviously it’s always great having [Rafael Nadal] around. Yeah, I miss him. I’m not going to lie, I miss him in the Laver Cup. Obviously, as I said, as much time as I can spend with him, for me it’s a privilege,” Carlos Alcaraz said.
He admitted that he didn’t want to think of the Davis Cup as Nadal’s potential swansong.
“I don’t want to think that it is a potential last dance for him in Malaga. I just want to think that I will trying to live or to enjoy his time around, to enjoy seeing him on court as much as I can,” he added.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal paired up to form a blockbuster duo at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Their team, dubbed Nadalcaraz, made it to the quarterfinals.
The Spanish duo will be joined by Marcel Granollers, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Roberto Bautista Agut and will be captained by David Ferrer. They will kick off their knockouts against the Netherlands.
