In an interview with MARCA in Berlin today ahead of this weekend’s Laver Cup, Carlos Alcaraz shared his goals and dreams for the upcoming fall season. The rising Spanish tennis star expressed his desire to partner with the legendary Rafael Nadal at the Davis Cup Finals, taking place in Malaga, Spain, from November 19 to 24. In this tournament, Team Spain will face the Netherlands, with the winner advancing to the semifinals to play against Canada or Germany.
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Alcaraz, who has won Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, had the opportunity to team up with Nadal in the doubles event at the Paris Olympics. The Spanish duo secured two victories before being eliminated in the quarterfinals by the American pair Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram, losing 6-2, 6-4.
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Alcaraz expressed his eagerness to recreate the inspiring partnership with Nadal in these crucial matches. “I heard that Spanish captain David Ferrer said that if Rafa is there, he would go to the death with him,” Alcaraz shared with MARCA. “I hope to be physically healthy to make it to Malaga as well. It’s something I’m particularly excited about, and I hope Rafa will be there too.”
Nadal and the Davis Cup: Memories and a Desire to Say Goodbye
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During a press conference at the ATP Finals 2022 in Turin, Nadal shared his wish to play in the Davis Cup once more and say farewell to the tournament with fond memories. “Let’s see if one day I can play Davis Cup again. I’m not sure about that,” Nadal told the media. “Of course, in my mind, I would love to say goodbye to that great tournament. Let’s see what the future holds.”
Alcaraz, 21, was thrilled to see Nadal’s name on the Laver Cup roster in Berlin. However, Nadal withdrew from the event and was replaced by Grigor Dimitrov. “It would have been special to repeat that here in Berlin,” Alcaraz said. “When they announced the lineup and I saw Rafa was coming, I was extremely excited to share the locker room with him again.”
Even though they couldn’t play together, Alcaraz remains hopeful for Nadal’s swift return to the court. “At the Laver Cup, we’re all much closer, and it would have been a unique experience. I’ll miss him and hope he returns to the court soon when he’s healthy. I hope we’ll meet again soon in a tournament.”
Alcaraz: “Rafa Is a Unique Legend”
Alcaraz shared that his time alongside Nadal was not only an inspiring experience but also a valuable learning opportunity. “Rafa is one of the greatest in the history of our sport,” Alcaraz said. “To me, he’s my idol, the player I watched growing up, and I’ve tried to learn as much as I can from him every time we’ve met.”
Alcaraz also expressed that he would miss Nadal in Berlin because it was a unique chance to continue learning from the player he admires. “He’s a unique player,” Alcaraz affirmed. With these statements, it’s clear that Alcaraz not only aims for success on the court but also cherishes the chance to continue working alongside and learning from the legendary Nadal, who has inspired a new generation of Spanish tennis players.
