Carlos Alcaraz is understood for talking his thoughts, and this time was no totally different. When Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach, made a daring suggestion about altering the game, Alcaraz pushed again immediately and made it clear he didn’t agree with the concept.
Alcaraz wrapped up an exceptional 2025 season, successful two Grand Slams on the French Open and the US Open and including six extra titles in Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, Rome, Queen’s Membership, Cincinnati and Tokyo. He closed out the 12 months as World No. 1 with a outstanding 71-9 report.
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After the season ended, he sat down with the Spanish each day Marca for a wide-ranging dialog. Throughout the interview, he was requested about Toni Nadal’s current thought of lowering racquet dimension to restrict the ability in right this moment’s sport. Alcaraz didn’t help the suggestion and made it clear he wasn’t in favor of such a change.
“Toni Nadal, Rafa’s uncle and mentor, a extremely revered determine on the boys’s tennis circuit, says there ought to be adjustments in tennis in order that gamers do not hit the ball so arduous. He suggests lowering the dimensions of the rackets. Do you agree with that concept?” the interviewer requested.
Carlos Alcaraz replied:
“It might be like taking a step backward. Tennis began with wood rackets, then moved to metallic, aluminum, and now now we have different sorts of rackets that assist you to generate extra spin. Earlier than, the sport was performed flatter, with extra slice, with out as a lot pace. Over time, by Rafa’s time, the sport was already performed sooner than earlier than, and now it is even sooner.”
“We won’t go towards evolution. We’ve got to be bodily ready for the pace at which the sport is being performed. I might say I do not purchase into that concept,” he added.
Alcaraz got here near ending his season on a flawless observe on the ATP Finals, however his run stopped simply wanting the trophy. Regardless of pushing arduous, he was hampered by an damage throughout the match and in the end misplaced to Jannik Sinner 6-7(4), 5-7.
Carlos Alcaraz recollects Rafael Nadal’s farewell at Davis Cup: “It was very powerful and unhappy”
Rafael Nadal performed the ultimate match of his profession on the 2024 Davis Cup in Malaga, Spain. His final look got here within the quarterfinal tie towards the Netherlands, the place he misplaced to Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4. Spain went on to lose the tie as nicely.
Alcaraz, who defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(0), 6-3 after Nadal’s loss, later mirrored on the second throughout his interview with Marca. He mentioned:
“It was very powerful and unhappy on the similar time. I performed my half within the singles, however I additionally performed doubles and I really feel accountable for not having the ability to advance. It was a really tough second.”
“However dropping the doubles match on the Paris Olympics with him was more durable than dropping the Davis Cup,” he added.
Carlos Alcaraz was anticipated to steer Spain within the Davis Cup this 12 months however needed to pull out on the final minute after scans confirmed swelling and muscle overload in his proper hamstring, the identical downside that affected him throughout his ATP Finals match towards Jannik Sinner. He has now returned residence to relaxation and start each day remedy till the swelling goes down.
What’s the foot damage that has troubled Rafael Nadal over time? Test right here
Edited by Pritha Ghosh