Rafael Nadal Defeated by Alcaraz in Riyadh Exhibition Tournament
Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal, set to retire next month, was beaten by his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday night at an exhibition tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Nadal, 38, succumbed in two sets 6-3, 6-3, acknowledging the superiority of his young opponent, whom he dubbed a true “beast” on the court.
“I don’t really have any pressure here. I’m just trying to have fun,” the Majorcan with 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 at Roland Garros, later emphasized in a press conference. “I know I’m going to face players who are in much better shape than me,” he added.
Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2, confessed that it was “not a comfortable moment” for him. “Obviously, I wanted to win,” he added.
In Riyadh, Rafael Nadal will face Serbian Novak Djokovic on Saturday, who, in turn, was defeated by Italian Jannik Sinner in three sets 6-2, 6-7 (0/7), 6-4.
“We have met so many times, so it will be nice to play against each other one last time,” declared the Majorcan, who was soundly beaten by “Djoko” at the Olympic tournament in Paris this summer.
World No. 1 Sinner will then face Carlos Alcaraz in what will be the final of this exhibition tournament.
Alcaraz and Nadal are set to meet again next month in Malaga, in their home country, for the Davis Cup finals (November 19-24), after which the Majorcan will retire.
“From an emotional standpoint, I am sure I will be ready. Physically and from a tennis perspective, there is still a month” to prepare, commented “Rafa,” assuring that he would not hesitate to skip singles in Malaga if he feels it is too much.
