By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday October 17, 2024
Rafael Nadal faced Carlos Alcaraz in what will be their last meeting before Nadal retires in November.
Photo Source:TTC
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz squared off in their final encounter before Nadal closes the curtains on his legendary career, and it was the rising Alcaraz that scored a 6-3, 6-3 victory to set a final with Jannik Sinner at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia.
The match itself was an entertaining tussle, even if Nadal was wearing the rust of his most recent hiatus – he had not played since falling to Novak Djokovic at the Olympic Games in July.
In the end, it was another chance to celebrate Nadal’s tremendous career, and to bask in the glory of the bond that Alcaraz and Nadal share as compatriots.
“Carlos was too good,” Nadal said. “He’s playing fantastic the last two years, better and better.
“I tried. I haven’t been on the competitive stage since a couple of months ago, so it was a good performance even if it was not good enough to play against an animal like him, but it was a positive match for me and I am happy.”
38-year-old Nadal, who will end his career at Davis Cup next month, hopes to use the next few weeks to get in shape so that he can have an impact on the last official competition of his career. He will face Novak Djokovic in the consolation match tomorrow in Saudi Arabia.
“I am trying my best every single day here to be better and better,” he said. “I have Davis Cup in front, in a month, so every day is an opportunity to be better and better and be ready for this final tournament of my tennis career that we are going to play together, defending our country, and I want to try my best to be ready for that so that I can help the team in some way.”
Nadal thanked the fans for their support over the years in a heartfelt on court interview, with Alcaraz by his side.
“I feel very well supported and loved all around the world,” he said. “I will never have the chance to thank everybody enough for their support. They helped me in every single way when I was in rough moments, positive moments, they always have been there, bringing me to the next level of energy. I feel very fortunate, I had a very long and successful career, and the support and the love all around the world means that I did things good, of course on court but at the same time outside of the court.”
Alcaraz will move on to face Sinner in the final at the Six Kings Slam.
“I had to play at my best level,” the 21-year-old said Spaniard said. “Obviously Rafa has been out of the competition, and in this sport you have to have matches in the body to feel good on the court. But I had to be focused, trying to play my best if I want to beat Rafa, it’s always tough, but it has been a good moment and a good time sharing the court with him once again.”