Carlos Alcaraz confident in Rafael Nadal’s return to form ahead of French Open
Carlos Alcaraz, the rising star of Spanish tennis, has expressed his confidence in fellow countryman Rafael Nadal’s return to competition after a series of injury setbacks.
Nadal, a 14-time champion at the French Open, had to withdraw from the ongoing Madrid Open due to a hip injury sustained earlier this year at the Australian Open.
He also missed tournaments at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, and Barcelona. Despite Nadal’s prolonged absence from the court, Alcaraz, who himself has won on clay at Buenos Aires and Barcelona, remains respectful of his compatriot’s legendary status in the sport.
Alcaraz’s confidence in Nadal
Speaking to reporters after a resounding 6-1 6-2 win over Alexander Zverev in the Madrid quarter-finals, Alcaraz expressed his hope for Nadal’s return to competition and his expectation that he will perform at a “spectacular level” at the upcoming French Open.
Although Alcaraz has emerged as a favorite for Roland Garros, he believes Nadal cannot be underestimated, saying “a man who has won a tournament 14 times will always be difficult to beat in that tournament, even if he comes without match rhythm.”
Despite the importance of competitive rhythm in tennis, Alcaraz remains optimistic about Nadal’s return, noting that even without many matches under his belt, the Spaniard “will surely show a spectacular level” at the French Open.
Nadal’s return will benefit tennis
As a tennis player and fan, Alcaraz is keenly aware of the significance of Nadal’s return to the sport, saying, “It’s been a pity all these months where we haven’t been able to see him in tournaments.”
With Nadal’s return, the tennis world can look forward to seeing one of its greatest players once again on the court. Alcaraz, who turns 20 on Friday, also hopes to continue learning from his compatriot, stating, “I say this as a player and as a tennis lover.”
As the French Open approaches, fans of the sport will be eagerly anticipating the return of Rafael Nadal, and Carlos Alcaraz’s comments provide a positive outlook for the tournament.
