Carlos Alcaraz opens up on facing Rafael Nadal for the first time, says scared to death would be an understatement

Carlos Alcaraz always idolised his compatriot Rafael Nadal before he turned pro. The two Spaniard faced off against each other for the first time at the 2021 Madrid Masters. It was Alcaraz’s 18th birthday but Nadal showed no mercy on the young boy as he registered a thumping 6-1, 6-2 win. Overall, Nadal had a 2-1 record against Alcaraz.

Speaking on his Netflix documentary series: Carlos Alcaraz: My Way, the Spaniard said he was overawed by Nadal’s pre-match routines when the veteran was warming up like he always used to do.

“I remember the first time I played against Rafael Nadal at the Madrid Open. It was a special moment. I was turning 18,” the four-time Grand Slam winner said.

“You see Rafa Nadal doing his routine. Jumping, sprinting around. You could see it on my face, I didn’t know where to hide. Scared to death would be an understatement.”

The youngster said he doesn’t want to be compared with Nadal and he wants to have his own identity on the tour.

“I don’t want to be called Rafa’s successor,” the world No 3 said. “I want to be called Carlos Alcaraz Garfia.”

Nadal also concurred with his countryman and said the comparisons between a young player and an experienced one doesn’t make much sense.

“When you’re young and they’re constantly comparing you to some professional that’s been on the circuit for many years, there are times you get tired of hearing it,” the 22-time major winner said.

“This leads to an excess of pressure and in the end, I think it can distort your daily life and even confuse you.”

Alcaraz pulled out of the Madrid Open due to injury.