Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal will battle in Riyadh's semi-final of the Six Kings Slam. The Olympic Games doubles partners will stand on opposite sides of the court for the last time before Nadal retires in November at the Davis Cup Finals.
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Carlos praised his idol, admitting he sought a professional career after watching Rafa's matches while growing up. The young gun will try to enjoy the duel, although it will not be easy, considering it's the veteran's penultimate tournament in a career.
Nadal has been dealing with injuries for years, enduring them until the middle of 2022 and standing alone on 22 Major titles. The legend injured his abdominal muscle at Wimbledon and never recovered his form despite trying his best.
The Spaniard experienced a severe left hip injury at last year's Australian Open, missing the rest of the season and returning at the beginning of 2024.
Rafa played 19 official singles matches this year, reaching one small final and deciding to end his career while competing for his country for the last time at the upcoming Davis Cup Finals.
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Alcaraz burst onto the scene at a young age and earned a chance to compete against his great compatriot three times. Their first encounter came at the home Masters 1000 event at Caja Magica on Carlos' 18th birthday in 2021.
Nadal overpowered the young gun 6-1, 6-2 in an hour and 17 minutes, taking advantage of the rival's injury in the early stage and dominating from start to finish. The four-time Caja Magica champion lost serve once and grabbed 60% of the return points, turning them into five breaks and sailing over the top.
Alcaraz could not find the range following an early setback, spraying almost 30 unforced errors and propelling his compatriot through before receiving a birthday cake on the court. A year later, two Spaniards battled in the Indian Wells semi-final.
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Carlos Alcaraz shared his admiration for Rafael Nadal's legacy.
Rafa scored his last victory at one of his favorite tournaments, ousting Carlos 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in three hours and 12 minutes after a titanic battle.
The wind kept the rivals from their usual rhythm, but two great rivals gave everything to produce a thriller and a memorable encounter. Nadal took four points more, losing serve four times and working hard on the return to secure six breaks from 21 chances.
It was Alcaraz's first Masters 1000 semi-final, trying his best but finishing on the losing side against the rival who competed with a broken rib! A teenager grabbed two breaks in the opening set but struggled behind the initial shot, playing against mind-blowing 17 break points and defending 14!
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However, Nadal did enough to clinch the set 6-4 in 66 minutes with three breaks on his tally. They traded five straight breaks from 2-2 in the second set, competing in harsh conditions and struggling behind the initial shot.
Rafa saved six break points at 4-4 before Carlos seized the seventh, moving in front and holding after a deuce in game ten to introduce a decider after two hours and 20 minutes.
The more experienced player denied break points at 2-2 in the decider and closed the seventh game after a deuce for a 4-3 lead. Nadal landed a volley winner in the eighth game, delivering a crucial break and moving 5-3 in front.
The three-time champion sealed the deal with a service winner in game nine, emerging at the top and reaching his last Masters 1000 final. A few weeks later, they battled for the third and last time in the Madrid Masters quarter-final.
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A year after taking only three games against Rafa, Carlos notched a 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 victory at Caja Magica, becoming the youngest player with a clay-court win over the king of clay. The young gun struggled physically in the second set, giving it away and making a strong push in the decider en route to his only win over the famous compatriot.
Alcaraz defended six of nine break points and converted four of five chances on the return, playing well in sets one and three and arranging the clash against Novak Djokovic.
A teenager went for his strokes and fired 37 winners and 31 unforced errors. He claimed a couple of incredible points, presenting his skills to the home crowd and remaining on the title course. Carlos grabbed a break in the first game of the match and lost serve in the next one on Rafa's fourth chance.
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The more experienced player lost serve again in the third game and got broken for the third time four games later, falling 5-2 behind.
Alcaraz landed a service winner in the eighth game, taking the opener 6-2 after 47 minutes.
A teenager hurt his ankle in the third game of the second set, receiving a medical timeout and losing serve in games four and six. Nadal held at love at 5-1, introducing a decider and gathering a boost. Carlos recovered his game and secured a break in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead.
The young gun served well in games five and seven, moving 5-2 up and closer to the finish line. Alcaraz served for the win at 5-3 and cracked a brutal forehand down the line winner, earning a milestone and celebrating his only win over the legend.
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"I have been watching Rafa's matches since I started playing tennis. He has always been my idol, and I admire him a lot. It's a shame he has to retire; he is a very important person in my life and career. Rafa is one of the reasons why I wanted to become a professional tennis player.
It's a privilege to face him once again, and I will try to enjoy, although it will be a difficult one for me," Carlos Alcaraz said.
