Rafael Nadal thinks Carlos Alcaraz is 'surprised' as tennis star gives verdict on copying Andy Murray
Rafael Nadal has opened up on Carlos Alcaraz as the tennis star looks to return to the court
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Rafael Nadal thinks Carlos Alcaraz is 'surprised' by his own success in his short tennis career so far.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a mercurial rise over the past 12 months, winning the US Open last year before securing the Wimbledon crown back in July.
Nadal has now been asked by Spanish newspaper AS about Alcaraz and his exploits on the court so far.
And the 37-year-old has lavished praise on his compatriot, expressing a belief Alcaraz has been taken aback by his own success.
Carlos Alcaraz has been hailed by Rafael Nadal with the Spaniard shaping up to dominate tennis for years to come
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"I think that Carlos is little surprised by what he can do," said Nadal, who is hoping to feature in all four Grand Slams next year.
"He has been number one in the world until recently. And although he is very young, right now, practically, the only rival I see for him is [Novak] Djokovic.
"He is a step above everyone else. My feeling from outside the circuit is that when he plays, the games normally depend on him 90 per cent of the days.
"In that sense, I think that what happened at Wimbledon does not surprise me, and that it is not surprising, it means how good Carlos is and in that case everything that the level he has implies.
"The reality is that it is fantastic news for sport and for tennis to have someone like him, who is doing what he is doing and, on top of that, with so much time ahead of him."
Nadal's struggles with injury have been well-documented.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been forced to undergo surgery this year as he looks to return to the ATP Tour for one last swansong.
Nadal was then asked how he'd feel about emulating Andy Murray by returning the sport but without the expectancy and pressure of winning every match.
It's something the tennis star is fine with, despite his burning desire to add to his trophy haul.
"No not at all. I have assumed it. It is what it is. I am very aware of this," he said when asked if he'd feel 'bad' about playing tennis without the brilliance of old.
"Right now that's not in my head, just putting myself in a situation where I can train and reach a competitive level to be able to play on the circuit.
"This is my current dream, to go out on a tennis court and feel like I can play competitively. This is the first objective.
"Afterwards you never know. In the end, I am aware. If I'm only there for that, to go out on a court and feel that I'm only going out to be minimally competitive, to not make a mess and such, then I'm not going to play much.
"I'm going to be in the few tournaments I feel like saying goodbye to. Another thing is that I feel strong and competitive to aspire to things that really excite me, then the approach will be different.
"But I can't know this right now. I have my different options open and depending on how I feel, I will apply one or the other.
"There is also the possibility that I may not recover and not play again.
"I hope that is not the case, but one has to be realistic, know the difficulty in which one finds oneself today and live it naturally.
"Always from the thought that it has been many years of career and that many good things have happened to me.
"Now it's time to do this and also without any more frustration than necessary."
And Nadal is also grateful for the way fans have treated him as he steps up his return from injury, too.
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Rafael Nadal is open to emulating Andy Murray when he returns to tennis
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"I have travelled and wherever I have been, the affection has been great, privately, but very good," he stated.
"I've been to Greece and I didn't know I was so well known there.
"The reality is that wherever I have gone it has been beautiful and then at the Manacor Academy, in the end I have many visitors, children every week, and the love and support is total.
"Yes, in that sense, I feel totally loved and very grateful to all the people for respecting my situation and also for the support they give me."
Nadal is happy to be a father, and with son Rafael nearly a year old.
"Coming home and seeing the joy of a child when you arrive is something difficult to explain, but it is a unique feeling," he said sweetly.
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