My hero is and has always been Rafael Nadal – Carlos Alcaraz

It has been a news week for tennis with the confirmed return of Rafael Nadal, who announced his return to professional activity for next January, a player who will compete again for the first time in a year when he appears at the ATP in Brisbane.

The left-hander from Manacor has fought throughout 2023 to return to play after the terrible injury he suffered at the 2023 Australian Open. The 37-year-old Spaniard has become a role model for the new generations of the game, with an enormous legacy that He wants to continue increasing in 2024, which could be the last campaign of his career.

Carlos Alcaraz: It is true that I also watched Roger Federer

The current world number two has spoken about the 14-time Roland Garros champion, Carlos Alcaraz, who had confessed weeks ago his dream of sharing with the Manacor native representing his country in the Olympic Games.

The 2023 Wimbledon champion has reacted to the return of the 37-year-old Iberian, who gave an interview to the LTA to talk about the expected return of the Manacorí. “My hero is and always has been Rafael Nadal.

Since I started playing tennis I used to look at him and be enthralled with him. It is true that I also saw Roger Federer, but for me there has always been only Rafa,” confessed the two-time Grand Slam champion.

Alcaraz also remembered the moment he met his idol, eight years ago. “I was 12 years old and I met him in Madrid. I remember we even took a photo,” revealed the 20-year-old Spaniard.