?Rafa Is Rafa and Carlos Is Carlos? – Carlos Alcaraz on His Comparisons With Rafael Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz is the man of the moment in tennis. The Spaniard is in the form of his life at just 18! He is enjoying a breakthrough season so far on the tour. Earlier today, he won the Miami Masters title, defeating Casper Ruud of Norway in the finals. In a match lasting just under two hours, the teenager defeated his more experienced opponent in straight sets 7-5, 6-4.

Further, the tennis fraternity was left in awe of Alcaraz’s performance. Social media was filled with praises for the 18-year-old. Earlier in the tournament, he had put on some spectacular performances against Stefanos Tsitsipas, Hubert Hurkacz, and Miomir Kecmanovic. His great run this year has earned him comparisons with compatriot, Rafael Nadal. The Next-Gen star has opened up on the comparisons with the Spanish legend.

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Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t want to take the pressure of comparisons with Rafael Nadal

After the match against Ruud, Alcaraz spoke about how he felt when people compared him with Rafael Nadal. He said, “Well, I always say that if they compare you with Rafa, that means you are doing great things, the right things. You are in the right way.”

However, he went on to add, “But I’m trying to not think about that. I mean, Rafa is Rafa and Carlos Alcaraz is Carlos Alcaraz. Rafa is one of the best players of history in tennis and now I’m as you meant, is living his dream but I will say that Rafa is Rafa and Carlos is Carlos.”?

Nadal and Alcaraz have faced off each other twice on the tennis court, the latest being their semifinal clash at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Although Nadal prevailed in both their meetings, Alcaraz gave a good account of himself in their match in Indian Wells, stretching the 21-time Grand Slam champion to three sets.

As far as Alcaraz’s performance in Miami is concerned, he dominated his opponents en route to the title. Moreover, he lost just a solitary set in the entire tournament. The Spaniard should be thrilled with his outing at the tournament.

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An exciting young prospect, he is certainly the player to watch out for during the upcoming clay-court season.