The streaming giant continues its rise in broadcasting live sporting events. After golf, it’s time for tennis, with an exhibition match between two big names: Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. Here is everything you need to know about this exceptional event.
At the beginning of December, Rafael Nadal announced his comeback. Absent from the courts for almost a year, the Spaniard’s last appearance dates back to last January during the Australian Open. Injured in the hip, the former world number 1 was also eliminated from the tournament in the second round. While he will be back on January 1 for the Brisbane tournament, a preparation tournament for the Australian Open, Netflix took everyone by surprise by announcing the Netflix Slam, an exhibition match between the Matador and his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.
In addition to its docuseries on sport, like Formula 1: Drivers of Their Destiny, or Break Point, Netflix seems determined to broadcast sporting events live. A few months after the Netflix Cup, this golf tournament between professional golfers and Formula 1 drivers, the platform with the red N has just announced the upcoming broadcast of its very first tennis match.
Netflix Slam: see you on March 3, 2024
For this first edition of the Netflix Slam, the streaming giant did not choose just anyone: Rafael Nadal, a true living legend with 22 Grand Slam tournaments (in the history of tennis, only Novak Djokovic does better with 24 Grand Slams Slams), will face Carlos Alcaraz, announced as the next generation of tennis elite.
Winner of two Grand Slam tournaments (the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon in 2023), the 20-year-old Spaniard is already one of the most highly rated players of the new generation. Currently second in the ATP world rankings behind the tireless Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz is tipped to become one of the best players of his generation, and why not one of the best players of all time. Asked about this exhibition match which will be broadcast live on Netflix on March 3, Alcaraz was very enthusiastic about the idea of facing his idol:
”I am honored and very happy to share the field with Rafa in Las Vegas. He is, of course, one of the greatest of all time, and his records and achievements speak for themselves. […] Rafa is also one of the nicest guys on tour and I’m looking forward to our match on March 3.”
On Nadal’s side, the undisputed king of clay (14 crowns at Roland-Garros) has logically fallen down the rankings. Currently 666th in the ATP rankings, the native of Manacor, who is now seeking to regain his sensations on the court and above all to end his career again in the elite, was just as enthusiastic about the idea of finding Alcaraz in this very particular format:
”I’m very excited for my first visit to Las Vegas, one of the most iconic and entertaining cities in the world. I am also very excited to play with my compatriot Carlos Alcaraz. I’m sure it will be a fantastic evening of tennis.”
Aged 37, Rafael Nadal is undoubtedly at the end of his career. After a year without competition, the former world number 1 has only one ambition: ”work hard” to ”finish his career in the right way.” To date, it is impossible to know if the Spanish will participate in the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells and Miami, which will be held on March 11 and 18 respectively. The exhibition match against Alcaraz will take place a few days before and could thus constitute a form of warm-up before starting the American season.
The appointment is given: Netflix invites you on March 3, 2024 for the big Netflix Slam, opposing Rafael Nadal to Carlos Alcaraz. The event taking place in Las Vegas at noon (local time), in France it is at 9 p.m. that we will be able to follow the match live on the streaming platform.
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And while waiting for the big exhibition match, the 10 episodes of the first season of Break Point, retracing the 2022 tennis season, are still available on the platform that makes TUDUM.
Source : Netflix
2023-12-13 11:29:42
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