“I wish I could have” : Carlos Alcaraz on convincing Rafael Nadal to not step off the court just yet
Ever since Rafael Nadal had been hindered with on and off injuries, everyone knew the day would arrive when the greatest Spanish player of all time finally says his goodbyes to the sport. Unfortunately for fans worldwide, that day arrived and it is still shocking to digest the fact that we will not be having his presence on the court ever again.
World no.3 Carlos Alcaraz is one of us, as he revealed how difficult it was to hear his role model’s retirement from the sport. The Spainard, who is currently in Turin for the ATP World Tour Finals, will be a part of Team Spain at the Davis Cup finals held in Malaga, the place where Rafael Nadal will retire for good.
The duo of Nadal and Alcaraz sparked the Paris Olympics this summer with many iconic moments, and we may very well see it again in the Davis Cup, be it for the final time.
“We want to win the Davis Cup title for Spain and also for Rafa” : Carlos Alcaraz
In a recent interview with Marca, the Spainard addressed many things regarding the Davis Cup and his thoughts on Nadal’s retirement. Alcaraz described how heartbroken he was when the 38-year-old told him his retirement plans, and that he wishes he could have his say on the matter, as do all tennis fans worldwide.
“No, not really. I wish I could have. I know that the decision has already been made. I asked him if it was a tough day when he announced his retirement, if it was a tough decision to make,” said the 21-year-old.
“If someone had told me that I had a chance of convincing him to continue, I would have done it and I would have tried because I don’t want to see him off the track yet,” the four-time Grand Slam champion added.
Regardless, with the Davis Cup arriving soon, Alcaraz revealed that he wants to go into the tournament with any ‘emotional expectations’. He wants to be available for Team Spain in every category be it singles, doubles or even mixed. But most of all, the Spainard wishes to win the tournament to provide the legendary Rafael Nadal the send-off he deserves.
“I want to go without any emotional expectations. We want to win the (Davis Cup) title for Spain and also for Rafa, so that his last tournament is as God intended,” Alcaraz admitted.
“I will play for Spain in whatever way I can: singles, doubles, and if there is a mixed category, then the mixed category. If there is anything else, I am there to contribute my grain of sand because playing for Spain is the greatest thing for me. Being able to represent my country, my flag, all Spaniards, and even more so in the situation we are experiencing due to the DANA. I am going to give everything for my flag and for my country,” the Spainard added.
Team Spain will be taking on the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup on November 19 at the Palacio Deportes Martín Carpena in Malaga. Safe to say, it is up to Carlos Alcaraz to lead his nation all up to the finals.
