The Spanish phenomenon Carlos Alcaraz, who celebrated his 19th birthday at the same time as his qualification for the quarter-finals of the Masters 1000 in Madrid where he will challenge Rafael Nadal on Friday, feels "
ready for this challenge
", he said. said Thursday evening.
“
He is one of the best players in history, and the best in history on clay.
Even though he says he's out of shape, coming back from injury, with all he's done on clay he's still the favourite.
Me, I'm the new kid
, "said Alcaraz at a press conference, a newcomer in the top 10 (9th) since his title in Barcelona ten days ago, his third in 2022 after Rio and, above all, Miami. .
“
As we speak, he is better than me without a doubt
,” Nadal considered a few hours earlier, at the same microphone.
“
I will try to show the best version of myself.
I dream of being the best, and I fight for it.
And to be, you have to beat the best.
I think I'm ready for this challenge
, "said the protege of Juan-Carlos Ferrero, ex-world No.1 and winner of Roland-Garros 2003.
“
It's always difficult to play against Rafa.
Not just for me because he's my idol, but for all players, because it's complicated to play against the best
.
“
I will try not to think about that, to think that I have a normal, ordinary player in front of me.
I will try to show my level.
To show Rafa that I'm not nervous, that I'm fine, that I can play a good game, and we'll see what happens
.
Alcaraz is no longer the same as in 2021
What does he remember from his first face-to-face with Nadal, a year ago almost to the day, already on the Madrid Central, on his 18th birthday?
“
This game helped me see how far I was sincerely
, he smiled.
I remember arriving very nervous, not feeling good on the court, not finding myself, not knowing how to control things both mentally and physically, and I paid for it
, ”recalled the young Spaniard.
"
I believe that now I am a totally different player, able to manage my emotions, to manage the different moments of a match, and able to see what is wrong and from there improve it
" , he added.
“
Playing Rafa, in addition to Madrid, is necessarily a special match.
I will try to manage the pressure as best I can and show a good level of play
,” concluded Alcaraz.