Advancing age and NextGen opponents continue to inspire Rafael Nadal.
The Grand Slam king hit the court with Spanish phenom Carlos Alcaraz in a spirited Indian Wells practice session on opening day of the BNP Paribas Open.
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It's the second time the pair have practiced at a tournament together following the 2021 Australian Open.
The pair squared off in their lone pro meeting at the Mutua Madrid Open last May.
On that occasion, Nadal played party pooper winning nine of the first 10 games rampaging through Alcaraz's 18th birthday with a 6-1, 6-2 sweep to roll into the Mutua Madrid Open round of 16.
Toni Nadal, Rafa's uncle and original coach, cites Alcaraz as the eventual successor to the Big 3.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafa Nadal says he's an Alcaraz fan too.
"Well, he's playing very aggressive. He has a lot of potential," Nadal said of Alcaraz last spring. "He's a young and good guy, so, I mean, he already has a great level of tennis today, but I really believe that he gonna be a fantastic player in the near future, no?
"Yeah, I wish him all the very best. I mean, like Spanish player and like in Spanish fan, I really believe that we need somebody like him, and it's great to have him here."
Photo credit: @BNP Paribas Open