‘The King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal made his feelings crystal clear on fellow countryman Carlos Alcaraz and ATP No. 1 Jannik Sinner as he reflected on his legendary career
Rafael Nadal has backed compatriot Carlos Alcaraz and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner as the future of men’s tennis.
The iconic Spaniard, known for his dominance on the clay courts of Roland Garros, retired in November 2024, marking the end of an era where he faced off against formidable opponents in 20-time major winner Roger Federer and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
With Federer retiring in 2022 and Djokovic, now nearing 38 and battling injuries, likely to follow suit soon, the baton is set to be passed on. And 22-time Grand Slam winner Nadal made it clear who he thinks should take it up during a Movistar Plus event. Referring to his rivalry with Federer and Djokovic, Nadal said: “If we did it, others can do it.
“Things are meant to be surpassed. Clearly, there are two players who stand above the rest: Carlos and Jannik. We were three for almost too many years, and thanks to the demands we placed on each other, we made our careers something unimaginable years ago.
“We did that. Now new generations are coming who will strive to surpass us.” Alcaraz and Sinner have already been dominating the Grand Slam scene, reports the Express.
Despite Djokovic’s impressive three major wins in 2023, the following year saw the the pair split the Grand Slam titles between them, with Sinner also clinching the first major of the year in the 2025 Australian Open.
Alcaraz, who will likely be favourite for upcoming French Open, expressed his admiration for the iconic trio of Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic upon Nadal’s retirement. He said: “For us young players coming up, who have many years ahead of us, we’ve been lucky to see the era of Rafa, Federer, and Djokovic, although [Novak] is still playing.
“That battle between those three gladiators, [they are] players who aren’t from this planet.” He added: “But, at the same time, I’ll also say that [Rafa] has left a lot of people with the hope of seeing what is to come.
“In a way, if those of us that are here, the young players, those coming up behind him cannot reach that level, it will be seen as frustrating or disappointing for the world of tennis.” To date, the Australian Open is the only Grand Slam which has been able to elude Alcaraz.
The 21-year-old lifted the US Open in 2022, clinched victory at Wimbledon the following year, and lifted both the French Open and the Wimbledon trophies last year. Sinner, meanwhile, has an impressive trophy haul of his own to date.
The 23-year-old Italian has tasted success twice at the Australian Open, as well as winning the US Open once. He is yet to make it past the semi-finals at the French Open and Wimbledon, though.
