The first Indian Wells Masters 1000 semi-final was between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, the match everyone wanted to see before the tournament even started. The 35-year-old from Manacor is still unbeaten in 2022 and has proven once again that he is a legend in modern sport.
Rafa’s incredible start to the season was bolstered by his triumph at the Australian Open, which saw him overtake Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the all-time Majors rankings.
Nadal became the fourth man in history to have won all the Slams at least twice (along with Djokovic, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson). As if that wasn’t enough, the Mallorcan also won the Melbourne ATP 250 and the Acapulco tournament.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion didn’t have it easy against Alcaraz, who made a strong impression in the California desert.
The protege of Juan Carlos Ferrero had not yet lost a set this week and did everything to beat his idol.
During the press conference, Paula Badosa was asked to give her opinion on the upcoming Spanish derby.
Paula Badosa sur Rafa Nadal
“I mean, today, before the game, I was looking around, waiting for the game,” Badosa said.
“I saw three flags of Spain because there are three games here that the Spaniards play. It’s amazing. For me, it’s amazing to be one of them” Badosa said pointed out that Spain have always produced talented players, not counting Rafael Nadal, and that Alcaraz were proof of that.
“I think Spain have amazing players. We’ve always had amazing players, not just Rafa. Now Carlos Alcaraz,” she added. “There are so many good players.
It’s super nice to be one of them and to be here in the semi-finals.” The 24-year-old praised Alcaraz’s ball-striking ability but missed out. superlatives when talking about Nadal.
“Yes, I mean, yesterday I watched Rafa and I watched Carlos. It’s crazy how they play,” she continued. “Carlos, he’s not even the future, he’s the present.
He hits the ball so hard. It’s crazy. Rafa, I have no words.” During the pre-tournament press conference, Nadal had given his opinion on such acts by the players, referring to Zverev’s incident in Acapulco.
Receiving a similar question again seemed to irritate the world number 4. Not wanting to answer the question again, Nadal made it known by directing reporters to his answer during the pre-tournament press conference.
He said: “I’m really not in the mood to talk about this stuff. We talked about it before the tournament. You know my opinion on this stuff. But at the end of the day, it’s an organization Who makes the decisions”
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