Carlos Alcaraz has never been shy about who his tennis idol is. “Rafa is my idol, favorite player, favorite everything,” he once said, and he’s stuck to his preferences. He’s had the rare privilege of playing against his favorite, Rafael Nadal. To make it even better, a the 2024 Paris Olympics, he got to play doubles with him. A dream come true, and something he calls “something I will never forget.” Now, it’s not just the red clay they’re sharing. It’s the red carpet too.

On Monday evening, Madrid rolled out the carpet for the stars at the Laureus World Sports Awards. It’s one of the most prestigious sports award shows, often called the “Sports Oscars.” Unlike most awards that stick to just one game, Laureus celebrates all disciplines equally—tennis, football, athletics, cricket, F1, you name it. And this year’s event was extra special. The 2025 edition marked the 25th anniversary of the Laureus Awards. Madrid played host again, for the second year in a row. The Spanish capital was buzzing with athletes from every corner of the sports world.

Carlos Alcaraz was one of the standout names of the night. Nominated for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, he shared the spotlight with big names like F1 champ, Max Verstappen, pole vault sensation, Mondo Duplantis, cyclist Tadej Pogačar, and Olympic swimmer, Léon Marchand. But the trophy didn’t go to the young Spaniard. Mondo Duplantis took home the honor this time.

Still, the 4-time Grand Slam champion stole hearts with the most memorable moment of the evening—posing alongside Rafael Nadal on the red carpet. Fans got what they were hoping for: a Nadal-Alcaraz reunion, or as many like to call it, the “Nadalcaraz” moment.

Speaking of Nadal, he’s got a unique place in Laureus history. He’s the only athlete ever to complete the “Laureus Slam.” He has won every major Laureus award out there. His first award was in 2006—Breakthrough of the Year. Then in 2011, he bagged Sportsman of the Year. After a rough patch with injuries, he returned and grabbed the Comeback of the Year award in 2014. In 2021, he shared the Sportsman of the Year title with none other than Roger Federer. In 2024, Nadal and his foundation were honored with the Laureus Sport for Good Award.

So yeah, legend status: confirmed. That is probably why the King of Clay remains Alcaraz’s favorite.

Carlos Alcaraz recognizes Rafael Nadal’s “impossible” feat

Just a day before the glittering night in Madrid, Carlos Alcaraz left the court at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell with a bittersweet feeling. The 21-year-old lost to Holger Rune in an epic final. This means Rafael Nadal remains the last player to win Monte-Carlo and Barcelona in consecutive weeks (2018).

One of the main reasons for his defeat? Fatigue. Alcaraz looked visibly worn out and even needed a medical timeout in the second set due to an issue with his right leg. “Having played a tournament like Monte-Carlo and arriving in Barcelona with few days to adapt is really tough. Now I bow at the feet of Rafa [Nadal] because of what he did week after week. You have to respect that,” said Alcaraz. “We admire Rafa for what he’s done, particularly on this swing. But winning everything consecutively is kind of impossible. And once you’ve experienced it firsthand, you appreciate what Rafa did much more and how difficult it is to be 100 per cent physically and mentally week after week.”

It’s clear: the respect runs deep. And it goes both ways. “He wrote to me,” Alcaraz revealed. “To give me some encouragement, telling me he hopes that I’m not injured and that in a few days I can train again and give my all.”

Now, Alcaraz will shift his focus to the Madrid Open, hoping to recover in time and put on another good show. After that, it’s on to the Italian Open, where his rival Jannik Sinner awaits. Can he prove he is the Prince of Clay?