Rafael Nadal believes Carlos Alcaraz is’mentally strong’, despite the fact that the 21-year-old admitted to struggle following his unexpected loss from the US Open.
Alcaraz was eliminated from the competition on Friday, when Botic van de Zandschulp defeated him in straight sets to go to the third round.
Following the setback, the Spaniard stated that he was ‘not well mentally,’ which raised some concerns.
“The truth is that what I feel right now is that instead of moving forward, I’ve moved backward in terms of my head, and I’m not sure why,” he explained.
Rafael Nadal believes Carlos Alcaraz is’mentally strong’, despite the fact that the 21-year-old admitted to struggle following his unexpected loss from the US Open.
“Because I came out of a fantastic summer, from Roland Garros and Wimbledon, feeling like I had taken a mental stride ahead, as if I had learnt that in order to win big things or Grand Slams, you needed to be psychologically tough. I come to this tour and feel as if I’ve taken a step back.
“It’s like I’m not feeling well psychologically.
“I’m not well, and I’m not strong.
“One of my concerns is that I don’t know how to regulate myself or handle it, which is a major difficulty for me.”
However, Nadal disagrees with those remarks and believes Alcaraz simply needs to recuperate.
The duo competed in doubles at the Paris Olympics earlier this summer.
Alcaraz also put his body to the test as he battled his way to victory at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Nadal told El Hormiguero, “I don’t believe Carlos is mentally weak.
“What he is is a little tired and saturated after everything he has accomplished this summer, including Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the silver medal in Paris.
“There comes a time when the mind requires a little vacation since the schedule is more tighter in an Olympic year and the responsibilities are very high.
Alcaraz has been named the successor to Nadal’s throne.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz played doubles at the Paris Olympics earlier this summer
Despite the big expectations those comparisons bring, however, he’s still won a remarkable four Grand Slam titles already.
His first came at the US Open in 2022, with Alcaraz then proceeding to win Wimbledon the following year.
And he’s since added two more majors to his growing collection in 2024, too.
Nadal, discussing the comparisons between himself and Alcaraz, said: “He is good enough so that comparisons don’t affect him.
Rafael Nadal is a major admirer of Carlos Alcaraz and has supported him to bounce back after being eliminated from the US Open.
“He is making his way, and I think it is a very fortunate coincidence that after a career like mine, someone like Carlos has emerged.”
“It’s difficult that, after a player like myself, somebody emerges from the same country who will go down in sports history.
“We strive to do our part; you read things and accept them.”
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