The 38-year-old Nadal, who announced last week he would retire from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga in November, lost 6-3, 6-3 to the 21-year-old Alcaraz in the semi-finals of the Six Kings Slam event in Saudi Arabia.
Afterwards he described Alcaraz, winner of the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024, as an "animal" and acknowledged he was not competing at the highest level.
"I have not much pressure here. I'm just trying to have fun," he told a post-match press conference.
"I know I'm going to play against players that... are in much better shape than me because they are on the professional tour and winning tournaments."
Alcaraz said he knew the Riyadh crowd was against him but wanted to let Nadal, winner of 22 Grand Slams, including 14 French Open titles, bask in the support.
この記事は The Straits Times の October 19, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Straits Times の October 19, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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