Toni Nadal signs a column in the newspaper El País in which the appearance in 2020 of Carlos Alcaraz stands out, who is even referred to as the “natural replacement of Rafael.” An enormous responsibility for the young Murcian tennis player.
“Carlos Alcaraz has become, with the endorsement of his results and his game, not only the great hope of Spanish tennis, but also Rafael’s natural replacement,” says Toni. “The first time I saw him play it was precisely in a tournament that was played at my nephew’s academy and, despite his defeat that day, I predicted that his future in the tennis world would be very bright. Albert Molina, his manager and A great friend of mine, he chided me arguing that my words added an excess of pressure to the boy, “he adds.
Juan Carlos Ferrero: “Carlos Alcaraz is going to be very high, he is working very well”
The one who was Rafa’s coach talks about the pressure they put on tennis players: “In an effort to help and protect the young promises they try to create a bubble that seems unnecessary to me. All those who want to stand out will have to endure a pressure that will accompany them throughout their careers. And Carlos will be no less. He will have to live with her and the inevitable comparison with his countryman, Rafael Nadal. “
And he concludes: “I see him as a head that is well furnished enough to absorb that pressure, as well as the compliments and expectations that his tennis provokes. He has many of the conditions necessary to become a great player. Despite his 17 years, he has a Aggressive and varied game, a very good physique and great quality in most of his strokes. His progress in the ranking and his evolution in the game have been constant. And that is why, to this day, he occupies number 136 in the ranking. ATP. During his youth career he has got used to counting almost as many games played as victories and has remained, as you might expect, at world number one or two. “
