"I honestly was so scared, I'm not going to lie": Carlos Alcaraz froze up in playing Rafael Nadal for first time at Madrid Open
ATP
Go back to 2021 and Carlos Alcaraz was touted as the successor to Rafael Nadal's throne as the king of Spanish tennis and they were due to face off for the first time at the Madrid Open. But ahead of their latest tournament this week in 2024, Alcaraz doesn't look back on that time with any semblance of fondness.
Alcaraz was royally thrashed 6-1, 6-2 by the King of Spanish tennis back then. It got easier for him though as they faced off again albeit by his own admission that first time really got to him. They faced off potentially for the last time at the Netflix Slam recently with Alcaraz running out the winner.
“It’s difficult, honestly it’s so difficult to face him. The first time in 2021 I honestly was so scared, I’m not going to lie,” Alcaraz recalled. "I couldn’t play – his presence, that atmosphere, you feel it’s unbelievable, it’s difficult.”
“The next time we learned a lot just how to deal with that situation, we are tennis players, we learned a lot and you want to be the best you know," Alcaraz continued. "The next time I faced him I didn’t feel as scared, I just wanted to beat him and just wanted to go for it and that’s all you have to think about it but I’m not going to lie, it is difficult.”
Read also
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
