Carlos Alcaraz’s season ended sooner than anticipated. The younger Spanish champion needed to assist Spain win the Davis Cup Finals, however the Spanish crew’s run in Malaga ended already on Day 1 in opposition to the Netherlands. It was an enormous disappointment for all of the members of the Spanish crew, because the Davis Cup Finals have been the final official occasion of Rafael Nadal’s profession.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion performed his first singles dropping to Botic van de Zandschulp, earlier than Alcaraz defeated Tallon Griekspoor in straight units and postponed the end result of the tie to the decisive doubles. The Dutch pair was higher within the decisive moments of the doubles and compelled Spain to a extremely painful elimination.
Carlos Alcaraz, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Carlitos needed to attain prestigious outcomes each on the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin and on the Davis Cup Finals, however the final result was unsuccessful for various causes. The 4-time Grand Slam champion was eradicated on the group stage on the ATP Finals, having been unable to play his greatest tennis because of a flu virus.
The 21-year-old from Murcia hoped to offer Rafa one final pleasure earlier than his retirement, however he confirmed that he nonetheless had little expertise in doubles and was defeated in two tiebreaks alongside his compatriot Marcel Granollers.
The world quantity 3 will take a number of days off earlier than beginning to observe for subsequent season. Carlitos’ 2024 has been very optimistic, though the Spanish ace has had a number of ups and downs. The 21-year-old from Murcia turned the youngest ever to win Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the identical yr, gained the Indian Wells Masters 1000 for the second yr in a row, gained the Beijing ATP 500 (he defeated Sinner in an incredible closing) and gained the silver medal on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Carlitos will prepare with Jack Draper
Alcaraz’s subsequent objective might be to develop into extra constant through the season, in order to get nearer to the primary place within the ATP rating occupied by Jannik Sinner. Carlos’ ups and downs have been decisive in permitting Sascha Zverev to grab second place from him within the final tournaments of the season.
The 4-time Grand Slam champion determined to coach with a younger expertise through the low season. Alcaraz will perform a part of his preparation along with Jack Draper, who has skilled the very best season of his younger profession. The British participant – who defeated Carlitos at Queen’s this yr – reached his first semifinal in a Grand Slam event on the US Open.
After Spain’s loss in Malaga, the previous world #1 needed to ship a extremely stunning message to his illustrious compatriot Nadal: “I will try to do my best, but right now, it’s time to say, you know, just great things about Rafa, what he has done, during his career.
I think he has said everything, but, you know, the way he left tennis, it is incredible. Probably he was one of the players that put tennis, you know, in the top of sport in the top of the world. So it is just great to have had Rafa in tennis and in this period in my life.”
He additionally added: “There will be many more Davis, there is only one Rafa. Thanks to you I have become a professional tennis player.
It has been a blessing to be able to live your career as a child for whom you were an idol and then as a teammate! The best possible ambassador who leaves an eternal legacy.”
Alcaraz has immense expertise
Regardless of the age distinction between the 2 nice Spanish champions, Alcaraz had the possibility to play in opposition to Rafa and share some stunning moments with him. Alcaraz and Nadal performed doubles on the Paris Olympics this summer time, delivering robust performances earlier than being eradicated within the quarterfinals.
Nadal and Alcaraz© @RFETenis X account
Carlitos will always remember these moments lived collectively together with his idol, who has already recognized him as his pure inheritor. The 21-year-old from Murcia has a really lengthy profession forward of him and has already proven that he can develop into probably the greatest gamers within the historical past of tennis.
The world quantity 3 has immense expertise and may play effectively on all surfaces, having all of the photographs in all areas of the courtroom. If he manages to restrict the variety of accidents and have fewer drops through the yr, Alcaraz may develop into unstoppable and overtake Sinner within the ATP rating.
The younger Spaniard will not be anticipated to play tournaments earlier than the 2025 Australian Open, during which he’ll attempt to enhance on the quarterfinals reached in 2024 (he misplaced to Zverev) and win his fifth Main title. Carlos has already gained Roland Garros, Wimbledon twice and the US Open in 2022.
