Carlos Alcaraz reflected the current distance from the legendary Rafael Nadal, whom he won with solvency, in two sets, 6-3 and 6-3 to meet the Italian Jannik Sinner, in the final of the Six Kings Slam, among the two best players of the moment, and relegate to the bid for consolation the Balearic Islands and the Serbian Novak Djokovic, the two best players in history who will act as opening acts on the last day of the Riyadh exhibition.
Nadal has not played a match since last July 29 when he lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Now, far from thinking about objectives, he is awaiting his official farewell, scheduled for a month from now. in Malaga, in the Davis Cup finals, where he will also share a team with Alcaraz. “I want to do my best to be ready and help in whatever way I can,” said the man from Manacor after his defeat against Alcaraz, who will be in the Final 8 in Malaga, from November 19 to 24.
The Murcian, current number two in the world, won in one hour and twenty minutes. He didn’t need to squeeze his game. It was enough for Alcaraz to keep his distance from his opponent, maintain his serve at all times and ensure victory. He left aside the possible emotional impact that a final face-to-face could have with a tennis legend, one of the best in history, a mirror in which he has looked at himself since his beginnings and with which he has shared objectives, such as the Games. Olympic Games and with whom he will coincide in a month, as members of the same team in the Davis Cup finals in Malaga and focused on the objective, on victory.
Alcaraz hits a ball in the exhibition match against Nadal at the Six Kings Slam in Arabia.
The Murcian, in full competitive effervescence, put the first eight points at stake on his side, winning the first two games without a score. The Spaniard won his first point in the third set, on serve. It was a symptom. Nadal improved later, offering good moments and showing some speed but with a lack of minutes on the court. Two and a half months without competing. It’s not just anything.
The 38-year-old winner of twenty-two Grand Slams, without a title since winning his fourteenth Roland Garros in 2022, the 92nd of his career, intends to arrive with solvency and playing time in Malaga, where he will play his last championship.
Emerging Alcaraz, second in the world, 21 years old, is in his prime. He already has sixteen titles, including four Grand Slams: two Wimbledons, a United States Open and a Roland Garros. This season he has won four trophies and Olympic silver in Paris.
Everything has been at the whim of the organization of the most luxurious exhibition. There will be a final between the two best in the world today. The Italian Sinner, number one, who previously beat Djokovic 6-3, 6-7(0) and 6-4, and against the number two, Alcaraz. And before, the classic in tennis history. Djokovic, the best in history, with twenty-four Grand Slams, and Nadal, the next one, with twenty-two. Sixty face to face between the two. More than ever, more than anyone.
Source: www.huffingtonpost.es
