“Try Not to Think About That”: Carlos Alcaraz Opens Up on Comparisons to Rafael Nadal Following His Historic Win in Umag

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics has taken center stage attention with its grand opening last week. Some of the sports best go head to head in a quest to attain the ultimate glory. However, stealing the spotlight from the mega-event and its extravagance was a certain Carlos Alcaraz. The young Spaniard made front-page headlines after his masterclass performance in the finals of the Plava Laguna Croatia Open.

Playing in his first ATP Tour finals, Carlos was up against French giant, Richard Gasquet. While many predicted the experienced to dominate the game, the energy of the youngster took everyone by surprise. In a complete whitewash, the 18-year-old defeated Richard to become the youngest Spanish player to win an ATP Tour title, since the legendary, Rafael Nadal. Naturally, as the word spread, fans couldn’t help but glorify Carlos while drawing comparisons between him and the Spanish maestro.

“I’m still learning, still growing up”- Carlos Alcaraz

With his triumphant victory at Umag, Carlos became an instant fan favorite. His dominant display saw him finish the game in just over an hour of play. Courtesy of the historic feat he achieved, comparisons to Nadal were inevitable.

However, Carlos doesn’t seem to be carried away by those comparisons and keeps his focus determined on his game. Replying to how he deals with the pressure of being associated with a legend, he said, “I try not to think about that. I say always the same – I’m focused on my [path]. I’m still learning, still growing up, still being friendly with everyone and am still focused on my [path].”

Carlos had an immensely successful campaign at Umag this season. On his way to his first ATP Tour title, he beat three of the top four seeds at the tournament. He sent fans into a frenzy with his emphatic victory against the 35-year-old Gasquet, who himself was in awe of the Spaniard’s remarkable performance.

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The Spaniard is now a fan-favorite

The French international was spellbound with Carlos’ authoritative gameplay. He said, “He’s playing unbelievable. He’s only 18 and of course he has a great future and I just couldn’t play at his level and his intensity. That was the key of the match and he didn’t lose a point. He played well, very solid. He’s a great player.”

Undoubtedly, Carlos will be one to look out for in the future. His promising performance has been reassuring, not just for Spanish fans but for die-hard fans of the sport too. With a remarkable feat in the bag, fans await to see where they will next witness the heroics of this young blood.

Read more: “I Want to Dedicate it to My Family”: 18-Year-Old Carlos Alcaraz Opens Up on his Historic Victory at Umag