Carlos Alcaraz makes telling Rafael Nadal admission which speaks volumes

Carlos Alcaraz has spoken about Rafa Nadal’s retirement (Image: Getty)

Two-time Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz has stated that he doesn’t see himself as the man to replace Rafael Nadal at the top of the sport.

While Alcaraz has enjoyed a stunning start to his professional tennis career, the young talent has chosen to remain humble, even in the face of astonishing success. As well as picking back-to-back titles at SW19, the Spanish star has also won the US and French Open bringing his tally of grand slams to four at just 21-years-old.

Nadal called time on his career recently and bowed out with 22 majors. However, Alcaraz has recently stated that, despite Nadal’s success being his inspiration in tennis, he said that doesn’t see himself as his successor as he would never manage to eclipse his compatriot.

Speaking to Mohamed Bouhafsi on French television show ‘C à vous’ about the comparison between the two players, Alcaraz lamented Nadal’s absence from the game. He also modestly insisted he is not the man to step into the shoes of the Spanish icon.

“Rafa’s retirement is a shame for Spanish sports, for sports in general, for me,” he said. “I grew up watching Rafa and he is one of the reasons why I wanted to become a professional tennis player. He inspired me to keep training, to keep fighting, and I thank him for that.

“I don’t want to see myself as Rafa’s replacement, I come out losing because of everything he has done for tennis, for sports in Spain.”

Just like Nadal, Alcaraz has confessed his affinity for the French Open. Nadal holds the records for most victories at Roland Garros with a remarkable 14 titles in Paris.

Alcaraz has claimed the tournament also has a special “place in his heart” after he stormed to victory in Paris this year by beating German Alexander Zverev in an epic contest.

Alcaraz won the French Open this year (Image: Getty)

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“(Paris is) a beautiful city that has the best tournaments in the world. I love playing here. (It) has a place in (my) heart. It’s the tournament I watched as a child, I was very excited to be able to participate and win it someday.

“When I won it, those beautiful moments of watching it at home came back to me. After seeing Rafa win it so many times, I wanted to put my name on the list of Roland Garros winners.”

Despite his love for the city, the world No.2 was knocked out of this week’s Paris Masters in the last 16. He later complained that the court was too fast, making it difficult to train for the right conditions.

After losing a three-set thriller to Ugo Humbert on Thursday night (October 31), Alcaraz said: “This is crazy. I don’t know. Probably the fastest one (Court), you know, in the last ten years in this tournament.”