Carlos Alcaraz has opened up on one of the things he learnt from playing doubles with Rafael Nadal.
In 2024, the World number three was by the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s side for some of the final stages of his illustrious career.
Nadal and Alcaraz formed a dream doubles team at the Paris Olympics before representing their country once again in the Davis Cup finals, where Nadal bid farewell to professional tennis.
Carlos Alcaraz is playing his first tennis season without Rafael Nadal as an active player and he is taking the lessons he learned from the Mallorcan and applying them as best he can.
What did Carlos Alcaraz learn from Rafael Nadal when they played doubles together?
Alcaraz had the honour of being Nadal’s last doubles partner. They teamed up to represent Spain in the Paris Olympics in what is one of the most iconic partnerships in tennis history, though it lasted just three matches.
Alcaraz was able to not only play alongside Nadal but also practice and spend time with him off court, which was valuable for his development both as a player and person.
The 21-year-old has since commented on what he learned from Nadal on how to play the mental game. To illustrate this, he recalled the closing moments of their Olympic doubles quarter-final against Team USA.
“In some situations in the match, for example, it was the last match we played doubles. It was 5-4, they were serving for the match,” Alcaraz said via ESPN.
“He told me we are going to run in front of them, just to try and scare them. A little intimidation. It was the first game we had break points.
“[It was to show] There are some moments where he is not going to give up, he is going to show he is fresh, he is there, he is strong mentally enough to think like it’s the first one. To me that was why Rafa is the best player in the mental game.”
Carlos Alcaraz comments on how he feels about Rafael Nadal’s retirement
Alcaraz knows more the more the impact that Nadal has had on both tennis as a whole and his native Spain. The first of his four Grand Slam titles came just three months after Nadal won his last of 22 majors back in 2022.
Alcaraz is now the leading man for Spain, but he is still coming to terms with that fact, given Nadal took Spanish tennis to heights it had not previously reached over his two-decade career.
“It was a privilege for me, sharing the last moments of Rafa’s career. Playing Olympics doubles with him. It was a masterclass for me,” Alcaraz told ESPN.
“I tried to learn and enjoy every single second I was alongside him at the Olympic Games. Sharing off the court moments, talking with him about tennis. About life. I tried to take some advice and lessons I could learn from that moment.
“Obviously the Davis Cup, his last moment on court, it was special. It was special for me. It was special for everyone. Someone like Rafa retired from tennis.
“It was difficult to accept that my idol is not gonna play professional matches again. At the same time, I tried to enjoy that moment.”
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