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Carlos Alcaraz Rafael Nadal US Open 2022

Carlos Alcaraz: ‘Rafael Nadal is not my enemy in world number one battle’


Carlos Alcaraz does not see the fight to be world number one as a duel between himself and compatriot Rafael Nadal.

The 19-year-old made history after claiming the US Open to become the youngest man ever to top the ATP rankings. However, he has not yet guaranteed the status of year-end world number one, with world number two Nadal poised as his closest challenger in that regard.

โ€œI donโ€™t see it that way,โ€ Alcaraz told Eurosport when asked if he is fighting with Nadal for the number one ranking. โ€œItโ€™s true, Rafa is fighting for the number one. Some players have the same goal, to be number one, so I need to do my best.

“Outside the court [Rafa and I] are colleagues, at least itโ€™s the way I see it. Rafa is not my enemy. I say hello, I donโ€™t see that competition. With the rest of the players, itโ€™s the same. Beyond that relationship Iโ€™ll try to keep being number one.โ€

Alcaraz was honoured as the youngest world number one in ATP history with a special ceremony at the Paris Masters. He leads the tour 6,650 ranking points, with Nadal trailing on 5,820 points.

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