'Priceless': Fans swoon over detail in post-match Rafa Nadal photo
Rafa Nadal has been captured in a nice moment watching young countryman Carlos Alcaraz following his close victory over Aussie Nick Kyrgios.
Nadal remained as cool as ever to block out the drama around him as Kyrgios left the tennis world stunned after unravelling on a number of occasions in the 6-7, 7-5, 4-6 defeat to the World No.4.
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Kyrgios was in a running battle with members of the crowd as he was hit with a code violation for audible obscenity and because he'd already received one for smashing his racquet, Kyrgios was docked a point.
He even argued with a crowd member sitting near actor Ben Stiller, before dragging the movie star into the drama.
The enigmatic Aussie finished the show as he smashed his racquet to the floor at his feet, which unfortunately ricocheted near a ball kid standing at the back of the court.
Regardless, Nadal showed his poise in the third set to see out the match to book a spot in the semi-finals and extend his unbeaten start to 2022 out to 19 matches.
Upon arriving in the media room, leading tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg took a photo of Nadal watching the 18-year-old facing Cameron Norrie for a spot to face him.
Alcaraz has trained with Nadal on countless occasions and has often referred to him as his idol.
The young Spaniard - who is already touted as a future grand slam champion - also has a game that replicates his idol.
Fans were quick to praise the humble moment from the 21-time grand slam champion.
This is priceless!
— Janette Scott 🇨🇦🇺🇦 (@winemgr) March 18, 2022
This is an awesome pic!! Love the behind the scenes scoop!
— Alison Black (@seacoastrunner) March 18, 2022
Master versus prodigy. Could be the best match of the tournament
— Adidas Boy (@AvenirChristop1) March 19, 2022
🇪🇸 VAMOS ‼️@RafaelNadal and @alcarazcarlos03 are the first Spanish men to reach the #IndianWells semifinals in the tournament’s 46-year history.
Will it be a sparkling 20-0 record for Nadal, or a first @atptour Masters 1000 final for Alcaraz? 👇— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) March 18, 2022
Some fans quickly shared the photo of Nadal with a much young version of Alcaraz.
The match-up marks an all-Spanish semi-final for the first time in 46 years.
