By Alberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Sunday, March 3, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz rallied past Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-4, 14-12 to prevail in the inaugural Netflix Slam in Las Vegas before 12,000 fans.
Photo credit: Chris Unger/Getty
Spanish champions delivered a shotmaking Slam-fest to Las Vegas.
Reigning Wimbledon winner Carlos Alcaraz out-dueled Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-4, 14-12 to prevail in the inaugural Netflix Slam before 12,000 festive fans in a packed Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.
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The Spanish Slam champions put on a show.
"It's always difficult to play against Rafa," Alcaraz said during a mid-match interview. "I'm feeling good on the court with a slightly different court and balls, which I have to get used to.
"Little by little I'm getting better."
That analysis proved prophetic from Alcaraz.
This exhibition match lived up to the massive hype.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal was playing his first match since he let three match points slip in a 5-7, 7-6(6), 6-3 loss to inspired Aussie Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International last month.
The 37-year-old Spanish superstar suffered a micro tear in his hip muscle in that match which forced him out of the Australian Open and a scheduled return in Doha last month.
Though Alcaraz, who was coming off a sprained ankle, looked smoother covering the charcoal-covered court at times, Nadal hit his share of forcing strikes.
An energized Nadal looked eager and showed his familiar fighting spirit. Stars came out in full force, including Charlize Theron, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas, Pau Gasol, Lindsey Vonn and more.
Though the king of clay gave us some show-stopping shotmaking like this one, Alcaraz had the answers in the end.
R Perhaps in 15 years time we will see Baba Rafa, sporting his mini racquet court-side, vs. Carlitos.