Rafael Nadal jokes it’s ‘a good thing’ he won’t play ‘special’ Carlos Alcaraz much after Las Vegas exhibition defeat

Carlos Alcaraz admits he has learned a lot from sharing a court with Rafael Nadal, as they prepare for the Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells.

The pair met in an exhibition match in Las Vegas on Sunday evening, which the two-time Grand Slam champion eventually won in a champions tie-break.

They have only faced off three times competitively, and it’s the elder statesman who leads their head-to-head 2-1.

Alcaraz was therefore pleased to get one over his fellow Spaniard, in a tight and exciting tussle.

“It has been incredible,” he said. “Playing against Rafa is really special for me.”

On what makes his opponent so special, he said: “Fighting spirit that he never gives up on any ball. He runs around every corner of the court.

“I had a few match points before I got it. He made an unbelievable shot. He never gives up.

“That’s something that I try to keep for my game, that mentality that he has, finding a solution when things are not going well every time.”

Nadal took the first set 6-3 after getting an early break.

He then immediately dropped serve in the second, which Alcaraz won 6-4, although only after a little wobble when he was broken at 5-3.

That gave the 20-year-old the momentum going into the 10-point champions tie-break, and after letting five match points slip, he eventually closed it out 14-12.

“As a fan, I will enjoy watching him for many years hopefully!

“He’s a big challenge. It’s completely different generations. In Spain, we should be very, very happy about having someone like Carlos coming.

“He’s an amazing player. He’s only 20 years old and he’s already won two Slams and a couple of important tournaments.”

Both players have spent time off court recently due to illness, but there was no lack of competitiveness in this clash.