by RIYADH: In a historic clash between two Spanish tennis icons, rising star Carlos Alcaraz defeated his childhood idol Rafael Nadal with a 6-3, 6-4 victory on day two of the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh.
The match, highly anticipated by tennis fans around the world, carried an emotional toll as Nadal nears his imminent retirement and Alcaraz cements his place as one of the sport’s leading figures.
There was a roar in the packed stands in Riyadh as Nadal took the court, and the crowd roared in appreciation for the 22-time Grand Slam champion, who recently announced his intention to play in the Davis Cup final later this year to retire.
This was a significant encounter for Alcaraz. The 21-year-old grew up watching Nadal and has always expressed his admiration for the tennis legend and emphasized the influence Nadal has had on his own career.
“This is Nadal’s moment. It’s emotional for all of us. I’m lucky that I get to play against him one last time,” Alcaraz told Arab New after the game.
The game was a mix of competitive intensity and sentimentality, with fans aware that this could be one of the last opportunities to see the two Spaniards face off in such an atmosphere.
Alcaraz, now ranked No. 2 in the world, has often been compared to Nadal, drawing parallels between her aggressive style and her mental strength.
From the start, Alcaraz took control and broke Nadal’s serve at the start of the first set to secure a 6-3 victory. Despite his ongoing problems with injuries, Nadal showed flashes of glory, but it was clear that the younger, faster Alcaraz was dictating the pace of the match.
In the second set, Nadal fought hard to keep the score close, drawing on his years of experience and trademark resilience. Nevertheless, Alcaraz retained the upper hand thanks to his sharp baseline play and his ability to capitalize on crucial moments. Alcaraz closed the set 6-4, securing a decisive victory in a match that symbolized the generational change in Spanish tennis.
In a press conference the day before, Alcaraz acknowledged the difficulty of facing his idol, saying: “Since I started playing tennis, I have been watching his matches. He was my idol and knowing he’s going to retire is hard for everyone.”
He added that the 38-year-old Nadal had left an indelible mark on the sport and inspired a new generation of players like Alcaraz who were ready to carry the torch.
The Six Kings Slam, with its record-breaking prize money and elite team, provided the fitting stage for this moment – a symbolic passing of the baton from one of tennis’ greatest icons to his future star.
As Nadal nears the end of his legendary career, Alcaraz is poised to continue his meteoric rise and carry the spirit of Spanish tennis into the next era.
