'Dream come true': Tennis world erupts over Rafa Nadal development
The tennis world is waiting in anticipation as Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz is set to line-up against one of his idols Rafael Nadal at the Madrid Open.
It wasn't too long ago that Rafael Nadal was handing Alcaraz a PlayStation as the boy's prize at a local tennis tournament in Spain.
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But the 17-year-old rising star became the youngest ever winner at the Madrid Open after defeating Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-0 in the First Round.
He will now line-up against his idol on centre court on his 18th birthday.
"For me, (to) play against Rafa is a dream come true," Alcaraz said.
"Since I was a kid, I wished to play a match against Rafa and now I will be able to... It is a really special match against Rafa."
An all-🇪🇸 showdown in Madrid you won't want to miss 🍿@RafaelNadal takes on @alcarazcarlos03 in the second round!
📷: carlitosalcarazz (IG) | #MMOpen pic.twitter.com/xjI3jCp3GM— ATP Tour (@atptour) May 3, 2021
Alcaraz trains with Nadal in Australia
Earlier this year, Nadal invited the young Spaniard to train with him ahead of the Australian Open after he made Round 2.
Alcaraz said he takes any opportunity to watch the 20-time Grand Slam champion when not playing.
“I watch Rafa Nadal a lot,” Alcaraz said in Madrid.
“Yeah, I always wish to play against Rafa, learn from him. I don't know how to describe this feeling now. It's a dream come true. As you said, I know his game a little. I will try to play my best and let's see what happen.”
To put the age gap in perspective, Nadal had already played seven ATP matches (and won four) by the time Alcaraz was born.
The kid is good.
Making his debut in Madrid, Carlos Alcaraz beats Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 6-0 and he will face Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round.
On his 18th birthday (May 5th), on the biggest tennis stadium of their country.
What a moment!
[getty] pic.twitter.com/xoWEHh9LYN— José Morgado (@josemorgado) May 3, 2021
Nadal had already played 7 ATP matches (and won 4) when Alcaraz was born on May 5th 2003.
Carlos will turn 18 the day he will play Rafa https://t.co/tNu7GIP81r— enrico maria riva (@enricomariariva) May 3, 2021
Alcaraz won the under-12 title in Madrid in 2015, and two years later reached the final in the under-16 event.
A few years ago, Alcaraz and other kids received PlayStations from Nadal after competing in a tournament.
"I'll try to be as relaxed as possible," Alcaraz said.
"I'll try to play my game and to keep learning and keep having fun."
World No.2 Nadal, who has an opening-round bye, will be chasing his sixth title in the Spanish capital after claiming his 87th tour-level title in Barcelona last month.
with AAP
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