Carlos Alcaraz got the better of fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal once more after beating him in the Six Kings Slam semi-final.
Alcaraz was unsure about facing Nadal so close to his retirement, with the latter set to call time on his career next month.
Nadal and Alcaraz played doubles together at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and will once again be teammates at the Davis Cup Finals in November.
But at the Six Kings Slam they were rivals, with Alcaraz beating Nadal 6-3, 6-3 in their semi-final clash in Riyadh.
The legendary figure’s tournament in Saudi Arabia will, however, continue with a third-place playoff against Novak Djokovic.
Carlos Alcaraz makes Six Kings Slam crowd claim vs Rafael Nadal
Serbian icon Djokovic lost his semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner, with the Italian now meeting Alcaraz in the Six Kings Slam final.
It was ultimately a straightforward victory for Alcaraz against Nadal, although the former has revealed he was under pressure because of the support the latter was receiving in Riyadh.
“I was under pressure a little bit,” Alcaraz said in his latest Six Kings Slam press conference. “A lot of fans were cheering on him.
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“If I am not wrong, I heard it is his first time playing here and the full stadium were cheering on him and supporting him. I am not surprised at all. That is what he deserves during his whole career, playing amazing tennis and being an icon on and off the court.
“He deserves, wherever he goes around the world, there is going to be a lot of people supporting and cheering him.
“For me it doesn’t matter that the full stadium were behind him and supporting him because he deserves it and for me it was an amazing moment and a special moment to share the court with him.”
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz succeed Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
Alcaraz will miss having Nadal around on and off the court, with the youngster having undoubtedly learned a lot from his compatriot.
But that won’t be limited to the four-time Grand Slam champion, with the entire tennis world certain to be left devastated when the 22-time Grand Slam champion hangs up his racket.
Fortunately for the Six Kings Slam crowd, they will have another chance to see the legend in action, with the added bonus being that he will continue his thrilling rivalry with Djokovic.
READ MORE: What Rafael Nadal told Spain captain David Ferrer about playing at the Davis Cup
All eyes will then quickly turn to the final in Saudi Arabia, where the new rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz will take another turn.
It will be a hugely fitting finale, with the younger duo having perfectly taken over the reins from the two elder statesmen in recent years.
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