Rafael Nadal believes Carlos Alcaraz is’mentally strong’, despite the fact that the 21-year-old admitted to struggle following his unexpected loss from the US Open.
Alcaraz was eliminated from the competition on Friday, when Botic van de Zandschulp defeated him in straight sets to go to the third round.
Following the setback, the Spaniard stated that he was ‘not well mentally’, raising some concerns.
“The truth is that what I feel right now is that instead of taking steps forward, I’ve taken steps back in terms of my head and I don’t understand why,” he told me.
“Because I came from a spectacular summer, from Roland Garros, from Wimbledon, coming out of there saying that mentally I had taken a step forward, like I had realised that to win big things or Grand Slams you had to be mentally tough. I come to this tour and it’s like I’ve taken steps back.
“It’s like I’m not well mentally.
“I’m not well, I’m not strong.
“Among the problems I have is that I don’t know how to control myself, I don’t know how to manage it and that’s a problem for me, really.”
However, Nadal disagrees with those remarks and believes Alcaraz simply needs to recuperate.
The duo competed in doubles at the Paris Olympics earlier this summer.
Alcaraz also put his body to the test as he battled his way to victory at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Nadal told El Hormiguero, “I don’t believe Carlos is mentally weak.
“What he is is a little tired and saturated after everything he has accomplished this summer, including Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the silver medal in Paris.
“There is a certain moment when the mind also needs a little rest because in an Olympic year the calendar is even tighter and the demands are very high.”
Alcaraz has been named the successor to Nadal’s throne.
Despite the high expectations that come with these comparisons, he has already won four Grand Slam titles.
His debut came at the US Open in 2022, and Alcaraz went on to win Wimbledon the following year.
In addition, he has added two more majors to his increasing collection for 2024.
When asked about the comparisons between himself and Alcaraz, Nadal replied, “He is excellent enough that comparisons do not effect him.
“He is making his way, and I think it is a very nice coincidence that after a career like mine, someone like Carlos has emerged.”
“It’s difficult that, after a player like myself, somebody emerges from the same country who will go down in sports history.
“We try to do our thing, you read things and you accept it.”