By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, September 12, 2025
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Rafael Nadal is not only Carlos Alcaraz’s former doubles partner, he’s a fan of the world No. 1.
Watching the 22-year-old Alcaraz dethrone Jannik Sinner to capture his sixth Grand Slam championship on Sunday, Nadal said “obviously” Alcaraz can match his mark of 22 career Grand Slam titles if he remains healthy.
Speaking to Spanish media at a celebrity charity golf tournament for Clínica Menorca Foundation on Thursday, Nadal said all signs point to Alcaraz matching, and possibly exceeding his career major mark someday.
“[Alcaraz] seems to be on track to be something unique,” Nadal told Spanish media. “Yes, he’s having an impressive career. He is a very special player, we have known it for years, but it is confirmed over time and he is improving what is an impressive career.”
Nadal and Alcaraz partnered in doubles representing Spain in the Paris Olympic Games where the pair lost to Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
The King of Clay said it’s obvious to him Alcaraz is on track to eclipse 20 Grand Slam titles and possibly more if he can stay healthy and continue to improve.
“The race seems to be on track to be something unique. Hopefully he can have a very long career, which is what he also needs to reach certain numbers, and hopefully that injuries will respect him and that everything goes great,” Nadal said. “He has six, which is an incredible number at his age, and I hope he [can win] as many as he can.”
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