Carlos Alcaraz hails Rafael Nadal: 'I bow at his feet'

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Monte Carlo and Barcelona are among five most notable clay-court tournaments in the ATP calendar. Scheduled within two weeks and with top-tier players, chasing both titles has never been easy, which Carlos Alcaraz discovered last week.

The Spaniard claimed the Monte Carlo Masters title over Lorenzo Musetti and headed to Barcelona. Carlos chased his third Barcelona Open crown following four wins. However, his body could endure the title clash against Holger Rune.

The Spaniard experienced an injury and suffered a 7-6, 6-2 loss, failing to claim both titles. Speaking about this feat, Alcaraz hailed Rafael Nadal, who conquered Monte Carlo and Barcelona ten times between 2005 and 2018!

'𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐙'

🤩 El espectacular recibimiento de la Philippe Chatrier a la primera vez en dobles de Nadal y Alcaraz.#Paris2024 | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/B6SHhvAGY7

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) July 27, 2024

Nadal's first Monte Carlo-Barcelona double came in 2005 at 18! The Spaniard bested 11 rivals within two weeks, including best-of-five finals! Rafa remained a player to beat at both events in the upcoming years, missing the feat only in 2010 when he withdrew from Barcelona.

Nadal returned to his usual pace in 2011 and 2012. Thus, the king of clay experienced no losses at his beloved events in eight consecutive years, showing incredible stamina and mental and physical strength. Alcaraz knows how to win notable titles on clay.

Rafael Nadal, Monte Carlo 2005© Stream screenshot

However, he could not endure the stress of embracing ten matches in 12 days, crumbling in the Barcelona final after injuring the adductor muscle in his right leg. Carlos fought well against Rune, standing two points away from taking the opening set.

However, the Dane claimed it in the tie break and moved in front. Carlos felt physical discomfort at the beginning of the second set and called for a medical timeout after the fifth game….

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Source : tennisworldusa