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MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain shakes hands with Carlos Alcaraz of Spain after winning their second round match during day seven of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magicaon May 05, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain shakes hands with Carlos Alcaraz of Spain after winning their second round match during day seven of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magicaon May 05, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
As the 2021 ATP Tour draws to a close, one of the brightest stars that have emerged on the Tour this year has been Carlos Alcaraz. The 18-year-old has had a tremendous breakout year, and he capped it off by winning the next-gen ATP Finals in Milan. Notably, Alcaraz earned more prize money than his idol and the 20-time Grand Slam champion, Rafael Nadal, in 2021.
Alcaraz recorded his first ever ATP title in Croatia and reached the quarter-finals of the US Open. On the other hand, Rafael Nadal withdrew from the rest of the season after Washington Open due to a foot injury.
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Carlos Alcaraz earned more than Rafael Nadal in 2021
Carlos Alcaraz kicked off his remarkable season by winning his first ATP Title at Croatia Open. Following his victory, he became the youngest tour-level champion since Kei Nishikori. Another noteworthy performance from the Spaniard came at the Next Gen ATP Finals. The 18-years old lifted the trophy after beating Sebastian Korda in straight sets.
Another notable achievement was reaching the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam at the US Open, and a career-high ranking of World No. 32. Certainly, Carlos Alcaraz looks like a promising player for the next generation.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 3, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain reacts after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece (not pictured) on day five of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
According to his lofty standards, Nadal had an average season on tour this year. He surprisingly lost on clay to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the French Open. However, he still managed to win one title at the Italian Open.
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Comparing the total earnings of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal in 2021, the 18-year-old earned significantly more money than Nadal. Alcaraz received $1.61 million while Nadal bagged $1.47 million. Novak Djokovic tops the list with $9.06 dollars.
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MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain pose for a picture before their second round match during day seven of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magicaon May 05, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
Having confirmed his participation at the 2022 Australian Open, the Spaniard will be hoping to kick off his season well at the ‘Happy Slam’.
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