19-Year-Old Carlos Alcaraz Proves to Be a Right Successor of Idol Rafael Nadal After Scripting a Unique Record

Carlos Alcaraz is one of the most promising players in the up-and-coming generation. Alcaraz debuted in 2018 and touched the headlines for the first time when he reached the quarterfinals of the 2021 US Open. Further, the teenager has elevated his game splendidly this year. He claimed two ATP 1000 titles and made his way into the top 10 of the ATP rankings for the first time in his nascent career.

Also in the French Open, he became the youngest man to make the fourth round since Novak Djokovic in 2006. Now Alcaraz is all set to equal another one of the ‘Big Three’ players’ milestones.

Carlos Alcaraz to stand beside Rafael Nadal

Alcaraz after storming the clay courts of Barcelona and Madrid open claimed the ranking of World no.6 in May. Thereafter, he executed a decent run till the last 16 of the recently concluded Wimbledon Championships and now is in the final of the German Open. Therefore, with his consistent performances, he has earned a record similar to that of the 22-time Grand Slam champion, Rafael Nadal.

The Miami Open reigning champion will now climb one spot in the ATP top 10 list and will secure the ranking of World No.5 on Monday. His name will go down in history as the youngest ATP No.5 since Nadal achieved the same feat in 2005. The Spanish legend claimed 11 ATP titles, including his first French Open title that season.

Read more: ‘More Difficult for Me to Expose Myself’ – Carlos Alcaraz on the Repercussions of His Success Post Madrid Open 2022 Win

Speaking of which, Alcaraz up till now has bagged four titles this season and will soon fight for his fifth in the clay courts of the Hamburg European Open. He will lock horns with the Italian tennis professional Lorenzo Musetti on Sunday.

Alcaraz against Nadal

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has met the rising Spanish star thrice. First, they squared off in the of clay of Madrid in 2021 and Nadal breezed past Alcaraz in straight sets of 6-1, 6-2.

Following that, they tussled in the hard courts of Indian Wells to meet the American Taylor Fritz in the finals of Indian Wells. However, this time, the 36-year-old had to drag the match till the third set to outclass Alcaraz. In fact, he even incurred a serious rib injury in the process that cost him the title later.

Watch this story: Carlos Alcaraz, the new sensational kid on the block

Then finally, in their third match-up, the 19-year-old claimed victory against his idol for the first time. The World no.6 avenged his last year’s defeat by out-muscling Nadal in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Madrid Masters.