Rafael Nadal is downplaying his chances in his much anticipated Madrid Open quarterfinal against Carlos Alcaraz 바카라 the youngster touted in Spain as his successor. (More Tennis News)
Rafael Nadal defeated Carlos Alcaraz on his 18th birthday last year. Nadal also won their Indian Wells semifinals earlier this year.
Rafael Nadal is downplaying his chances in his much anticipated Madrid Open quarterfinal against Carlos Alcaraz 바카라 the youngster touted in Spain as his successor. (More Tennis News)
The 35-year-old Nadal and the 19-year-old Alcaraz will meet Friday in a clash of generations that Spanish fans had been craving to see up close.
Nadal has won both matches he played against Alcaraz but said the youngster is in better form entering Friday's encounter in what should be a sold-out 바카라Caja Mágica바카라 center court.
바카라I think that today, he is better than me and he has a good dynamic, a good momentum,바카라 Nadal said. 바카라I think I am a very realistic person, and that doesn't take me to not believe that I can win or that I can do it, but today I think that Alcaraz is in a better physical state of mind, is more fit. I came here without playing. He's younger, so he has that extra energy.바카라
Nadal is returning from a six-week injury layoff and couldn't prepare properly for the tournament in Madrid. He saved four match points in his three-set win over David Goffin in the third round on Thursday.
바카라I'm clear who, from the beginning, has some kind of advantage in tomorrow's match,바카라 Nadal said. 바카라But in that regard, I will try to do as much as possible to be competitive.바카라
The ninth-ranked Alcaraz marked his 19th birthday by defeating Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-3 on Thursday.
Alcaraz couldn't disagree more about who will be the favorite on Friday.
바카라He's one of the best players of the world, and I would say the best player in the world on clay,바카라 Alcaraz said.
"Even though he says that I'm the favorite, that he's not fit enough, that he comes from an injury, you always have to think of Rafa as the favorite because he has already won here five times and all of the things he has achieved on clay.
바카라At the end of the day, I'm the new boy, the newcomer, the one that should not have any pressure when playing against one of the best players of history,바카라 he said.
Nadal and Alcaraz have three titles each this season, the most along with Andrey Rublev.
Nadal said he is more worried about preparing for the upcoming French Open than about beating Alcaraz.
바카라For him, yes, the momentum of keep on winning, but for me, at the end of the day, is who is going to be better in three weeks' time,바카라 the 21-time Grand Slam champion said. 바카라That's my goal.바카라
Nadal said he doesn't see a rivalry with Alcaraz because of the age difference.
바카라If I had eight or 10 years less, perhaps if Carlos had reached 10 years ago this moment, we could be talking about a new potential rivalry,바카라 Nadal said.
바카라I don't have this kind of rivalries at this stage. My opponents are (Novak) Djokovic, (Roger) Federer, (Andy) Murray in his day. This has been my career and my rivalries."
Djokovic said in Madrid this week that his son has already replaced Nadal with Alcaraz as his idol.
바카라Alcaraz is his favorite player now,바카라 said the top-ranked Serb, who could face either Spaniard in the semifinals if he advances.
Nadal said Alcaraz has already shown he has the capability to keep playing at a high level for a long time.
바카라As a supporter of tennis and sportsperson, I think it's great to have a player like Carlos that has been able to reach this level and this strength,바카라 Nadal said.
바카라I think he's a player that's going to give us a lot of good moments in the next, I don't know, 10, 12 years, 14.바카라
Nadal defeated Alcaraz on his 18th birthday in the round of 16 in Madrid last year. He also beat him in the Indian Wells semifinals earlier this year.
The young Spaniard said ahead of this week's tournament that last year he was only trying to compete with the best, while now he feels he can be considered one of the best.
With his win in Barcelona last month, he became the youngest player in the top 10 since Nadal made it in 2005.
바카라I think that I am building my path. I feel very happy about the way that the people are cheering me up, the way they are supporting me,바카라 Alcaraz said.
바카라I think that little by little, people are supporting me and loving me a little bit more, but Rafa has been many years with us. Many more people know him.바카라