Tennis News: Rafael Nadal believes Carlos Alcaraz will surpass his record

The 19-year-old clinched five titles in 2022, including the US Open, where they made history as the first teenager to win a Major since Rafael Nadal 17 years back. 

Carlos Alcaraz finished the year as number one after the ATP Finals, and no other teenager has ever accomplished that. Although he crashed out of the tournament due to an injury, it didn't stop him from closing the year at the top. 

Carlos Alcaraz dismissed comparisons with Rafael Nadal

The 19-year-old is often compared to Rafael Nadal because the 35-year-old legend set up similar records during his early tennis days. Carlos Alcaraz shut down such comparisons while Nadal spoke about the nature of Carlos Alcaraz's greatness. 

"There has always been a generational change. It is true that we had been missing in recent years, we were only Nadal, Carreno, Bautista," said the 22-time Grand Slam winner. "But now someone very special has arrived."

He continued: "Carlos is a very different player who aspires to be one of the best in history." The world number two also spoke in pride of Spanish tennis, stating that the country produced a host of top 100 players despite the shortage of luxuries.

Carlos Alcaraz was criticised for comment on Rafael Nadal

According to reports, Carlos Alcaraz desires a positive head-to-head against the tennis legend. "I would like to exceed him in the head-to-head," he said. 

However, tennis fans were outraged at his comment. The 19-year-old has faced him on three occasions - the Madrid Open (2021 and 2022) and the Indian Wells Masters in 2022. 

Although Carlos Alcaraz beat Rafael Nadal in their last encounter in Madrid, the veteran won the other two meetings. Tennis fans have called his attitude boastful and rendered him shameless for wanting to beat Rafael Nadal. 

In contrast, young players like Carlos Alcaraz wanting to win against the former number one just proves how high Rafael Nadal's level of play is, as some choose to believe. 

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal became the first non-American pair to end the year as number one and two. The former, spending his off-season in Tenerife, stated that he is happy to see Rafael Nadal still in action. 

The world's number one further said that the rankings barely do justice to the veteran Spaniard's achievements in tennis. "For me, it's still a pleasure to see Rafa on the court, like any tennis lover," he stated.

"If I were in his position, I would not have any plans to retire, just because you can see how much he loves tennis and competing," the 19-year-old continued. "There's no sense in comparing me to him. Me being the current number one doesn't matter, and you can't ignore all his past achievements."