MADRID, 6 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz acknowledged that his clash against Rafa Nadal in the Mutua Madrid Open quarterfinals will be “special”, although he will try not to think too much about it, to manage “nerves” and “emotions” to beat the “best in history” .
“I am going to say the opposite. He is one of the best in history, the best on clay, even though he is not in shape, you always have to take him as the favorite, he has won here five times. I am the new , the one who does not have to have the pressure to play against one of the best in history”, he said at a press conference, after Nadal gave Alcaraz favoritism for his best dynamics.
The Murcian attended the media around 12 o’clock at night, after his victory in three sets over the British Cameron Norrie, already thinking about Nadal. “I’m going to give everything, show my best version. I dream and fight to be the best, to be the best you have to beat the best, I’m ready to take on that challenge,” he said.
A year after the first chapter between the two held in Madrid, the Murcian recognizes his growth. “I remember saying that we had to play that game, and it helped me see how far away I was. I left very nervous, I didn’t know how to control myself, now I’m a totally different player, capable of handling the emotions and moments of the game,” he said, before to assess the support of the stands.
“I am earning my way, I am very happy with the way the public is cheering me on. Rafa is Rafa, and more here in Spain, more people know Rafa, I hope there is a small part that goes with me but I will be prepared to know that the public will go with him more”, he confessed, happy this Thursday with his reaction against Norrie after losing the second set.
“It’s difficult to play against Rafa, for all the players. I’m going to think about myself, in difficult moments the moment will weigh, but I’m going to try not to think about it, that he’s a normal rival, to get rid of my nerves and show my level, being loose, showing Rafa that I’m not nervous. It’s a special game, playing with Rafa is very nice, but I’m going to try to think that it’s just another game”, he concluded.