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Carlos Alcaraz - Shanghai Masters 2023, Rafael Nadal - Australian Open 2023

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Carlos Alcaraz admits Rafael Nadal retirement is ‘tough to accept’

Matthew Johns
Matthew Johns
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Carlos Alcaraz has reacted to Rafael Nadal’s retirement announcement, explaining why the news will be ‘even tougher’ for him to accept.Alcaraz saw his 12-match winning streak come to an end earlier today at the hands of Tomas Machac, losing 4-6 5-7.
Despite the defeat being a big topic for reporters at the Shanghai Masters, the main topic of conversation was Alcaraz’s compatriot Nadal announcing his retirement. And when speaking to media, Alcaraz revealed that he watched the retirement announcement video before his match, but suggested that it did not affect his on-court performance. However, the 21-year-old admitted that it had hit him a lot more since leaving the court, “Well, it was, honestly, I couldn’t believe it when I watch it. You know, it didn’t affect me at all before the match. I didn’t get distracted at all, I was just really focused on the match, I didn’t think about Rafa’s news. “But obviously when I watched it, it was tough to accept it. I was in shock a little bit. Thanks that I saw it like one hour before the match, so I had time to accept it and forget it a little bit before the match.” Nadal’s most recent match actually came alongside Alcaraz in doubles at the Paris Olympics, with there being potential of another partnership at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, where he will wave goodbye to the sport for good.When reflecting more on the announcement, Alcaraz revealed that Nadal is the reason why he is a professional tennis player, “It is a really difficult thing, really difficult news for everybody, and even tougher for me. He has been my idol since I start playing tennis. I look up to him. “Proudly, thanks to him, I really wanted to become [a] professional tennis player. Losing him, in a certain way, is going to be difficult for us, so I will try to enjoy as much as I can when he’s going to play.” Alcaraz added, “But we are going to play in Saudi Arabia, and then Davis Cup, so I’m going to try to enjoy as much as I can the time with him, but, yeah, it is a shame for tennis and for me.”
Both Nadal and Alcaraz will feature at the final two events of the former’s career, with the ‘Six Kings Slam’ taking place in Saudi Arabia next week and the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.Inside the baseline…Even though Carlos Alcaraz claims that Rafael Nadal’s retirement was not on his mind today, it is likely to have played a part subconsciously. Regardless of this, nothing can be taken away from the fantastic performance from Tomas Machac, who continued his impressive breakout season after reaching his first Masters 1000 semi-final. Although Spain have doubles World No.1 Marcel Granollers in their team, captain David Ferrer will likely find it very difficult not to pick Alcaraz and Nadal to pair up in the Davis Cup next month.
READ MORE: Roger Federer reveals he hoped Rafael Nadal retirement ‘would never come’
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