Nadal-Alcaraz, the desired derby

Carlos Alcaraz He has not forgotten, nor will he ever forget, the day he fulfilled adulthood. Last year, as in this one, I was disputing the Madrid Open. But that May 5, 2021 was a very special day for him for another reason: he was facing for the first time his admired Rafa Nadal. The Murcian lost that duel clearly, for 6-1 y 6-2but took the experience as an anniversary present. This Thursday blew 19 candles on the same stage, although the current Alcaraz, just a year later, is a very different tennis player. So he occupied ATP number 120now he rubs shoulders already in the world top-10. He started the day in the eighth virtual position and, after beating at night to Cameron Norrie, lay down installed in the seventh. Then he had not released his record on the circuit either, and now he already has five titles, three of them in the current season: the Masters 1,000 in Miami and the ATP 500 in Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona. His progression has been meteoric… and she has signs that she is not going to stop there. Its quality projects number one… or infinity.

This time he did not celebrate his 19th birthday with a game against master Nadalbut almost… Just one day later, both will meet in the quarterfinals. The desired derby. Between that duel in 2021 and the present, they have also been measured in Indian Wellswhere he wannabe legend He already put the myth in trouble. This Friday they play at home, in front of an audience that loves both of them. And for the first time, with all due respect, Alcaraz will be the favorite. This is what Nadal himself has affirmed, “Carlos is better than me”after suffering a lot before David Goffinwhom he surpassed in more than three hours, after saving four match balls. Rafa is still not physically fit, after a month and a half inactive. Alcaraz, for his part, borders on fullness. He is a bull. “The third time can be the lucky one”, challenges Carlos. Can be. Or not. In front he will have Nadal.