MALAGA, Spain — Carlos Alcaraz has said Rafael Nadal’s legacy in tennis is “eternal” and said it is almost impossible to follow in his footsteps.
Nadal retired from the sport after Spain lost to the Netherlands in their Davis Cup quarterfinal tie on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old opened the tie but lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in singles 6-4, 6-4. Alcaraz then defeated Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (0), 6-3 to take it to a showdown in the doubles for a spot in the semifinals. But Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers lost to Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3), meaning Nadal was ushered into retirement.
Nadal announced last month he was going to retire from the sport after this Davis Cup. He felt his body’s limitations meant he could no longer reach the competitive level he wanted. But he leaves behind an astonishing legacy, having won 22 men’s singles Grand Slams.
Alcaraz, 21, is at the start of his career and has already won four Grand Slams. He is widely seen as the heir to Nadal’s throne but is reluctant to draw any comparison.
“I think that he was one of the best ambassadors for tennis,” Alcaraz said of Nadal. “I mean, his legacy is going to be eternal. You know, he has been great for tennis, for this sport in general.
“Yeah, it is difficult, at least for me. I don’t want to think that I should continue, you know, the legacy that he has left. It is difficult, almost impossible. I will try to do my best, but right now, you know, it’s time to say, you know, just great things about Rafa, what he has done, you know, during his career. Probably he was one of the players that put tennis, you know, in the top of sport in the top of the world.
“It is just great to have had Rafa in tennis and, you know, in this period in my life.”
Spain were favourites to beat the Netherlands and the hope was Nadal would finish his career by helping his country to the Davis Cup title on Sunday. But the Dutch had other ideas and brought a premature end to Spain’s farewell party for Nadal.
Despite this significance attached to the tournament, Alcaraz said he didn’t feel any extra pressure.
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