{"id":26857,"date":"2025-02-18T02:55:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T02:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=26857"},"modified":"2025-02-18T02:55:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T02:55:44","slug":"carlos-alcaraz-reveals-why-he-hasnt-spoken-to-compatriot-rafael-nadal-since-nadals-retirement-%f0%9f%87%aa%f0%9f%87%b8%f0%9f%8e%be","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=26857","title":{"rendered":"Carlos Alcaraz reveals why he hasn’t spoken to compatriot Rafael Nadal since Nadal’s retirement \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udfbe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Carlos Alcaraz’s idol, Rafael Nadal, called time on his illustrious career at the 2024 Davis Cup after Spain’s defeat to the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

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Carlos Alcaraz, Rafael Nadal (Image via X)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Carlos Alcaraz<\/strong>\u00a0is gearing up for the Qatar Open where he will play his first match on Monday (February 17). While the youngster is competing on the tour to break many records and chase history, his idol,\u00a0Rafael Nadal<\/strong>, is enjoying his life post-retirement.<\/p>\n

Alcaraz however, hasn\u2019t spoken to Nadal since the 2024 Davis Cup. The 22-time Grand Slam champion last played his singles match at the Davis Cup in Spain\u2019s quarterfinal tie against the Netherlands. Nadal suffered a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to\u00a0Botic van de Zandschulp<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Rafa and I have a very good relationship, but I haven\u2019t spoken to him again since he retired from the Davis Cup. I think he deserves to be at peace with his family and enjoying the things that he couldn\u2019t enjoy when he was playing.<\/em><\/p>\n

Carlos Alcaraz told\u00a0Diario SPORT<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

Alcaraz has met Nadal thrice on the tour and defeated him once, in the 2022 Madrid Open quarterfinals. The Davis Cup was Nadal\u2019s penultimate official tournament of his career as prior to representing Spain in the prestigious event, Nadal joined hands with Alcaraz for the Paris Olympics.<\/p>\n

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He has been and is a great role model for me. I have seen that he has congratulated me on social media, but I have not yet had the chance to speak to him. I am sure that the time will come when I can do so.<\/em><\/p>\n

Carlos Alcaraz added<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n