Carlos Alcaraz completed the career Grand Slam yesterday, beating Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final in clinical fashion.
It marked undeniably the proudest and most impressive moment of his sparkling career thus far, made even more special due to who was in attendance.
Rafael Nadal watched on from the stands as his fellow Spaniard overcame his legendary long-time rival, in a clash for the ages and of the ages, as Novak Djokovic would put it.
And now, Carlos Alcaraz has actually revealed what he spoke to the 22-time Grand Slam champion about straight after he had secured the seventh major of his career.
Carlos Alcaraz reveals what he spoke about with Rafael Nadal after the Australian Open final
Talking to the media in Melbourne Park, as he took photos with his shiny new trophy, one reporter was desperate to know what he spoke about with Nadal after the final.
After all, broadcasters had picked up footage of the two chatting in the tunnel, with Alcaraz still clutching the final Grand Slam to complete his quartet.
Can Carlos Alcaraz win MORE Grand Slams than Novak Djokovic? 🤔
The 22-year-old would reveal: “I talked to him a little after the game. His presence made this triumph even more special; it was crazy for me.
“When I finished the semifinal, I thought a lot about what he did in 2009, when, after beating Verdasco, he beat Federer in the final. We talked a little about the game, and I thanked him very much for being there. He knows perfectly what it feels like in those moments; it was exciting.”
Nadal sent a message to Alcaraz on social media after the final, congratulating him on his historic achievement.
Carlos Alcaraz describes lifting the Australian Open trophy with Rafael Nadal watching
Then, speaking on Channel 9, the Spaniard would continue to express his admiration for his legendary compatriot.
Describing how it felt to lift the Australian Open trophy in front of Nadal, he admitted: “In this moment it’s really special, but you know, having Rafa in the stands made it even more special.
Do you believe Carlos Alcaraz is already the greatest tennis player of all time?
“To be honest, you know, lifting the trophy for the first time in Australia in front of Rafa was was crazy, to be honest, you know, after the semifinal, I just thought about that semifinal in 2009, he played against Verdasco, and then he came back physically and played such a great final against Federer, you know, and, won.
“So I was thinking, a little bit about it, not thinking about how I feel physically. It’s just about, you know, pushing through and having him there, I was like, watching him and, you know, give me some, like, good spirit, you know?”
He clearly has so much respect for Nadal and took great inspiration to will him on to this latest and greatest success.
