Nadal hails ‘amazing’ Alcaraz after exhibition defeat

By Reuters
March 05, 2024
Spain's Rafael Nadal hits a return against Britain´s Jack Draper during their men´s singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 16, 2023. — AFP

LAS VEGAS: Rafa Nadal said one good thing about nearing the end of his career is that he will not have to face Carlos Alcaraz too many times after the 37-year-old Spaniard lost to his compatriot in an exhibition match in Las Vegas on Sunday.

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Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, added that the future of Spanish tennis was in good hands with the 20-year-old. Alcaraz has already won majors at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon and is ranked number two in the world behind Novak Djokovic. “It’s a good thing that as a player I will not face him many times,” said Nadal, who expects to retire in 2024 after a series of injuries limited his appearances on the circuit.

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