"I really want to play like Roger Federer": Rafael Nadal is Carlos Alcaraz's idol but he sees himself in Swiss rival
ATPWednesday, 13 March 2024 at 17:00
While Carlos Alcaraz often gets compared to a certain Rafael Nadal solely for his rise from a young age and being from the same country, the Spaniard takes a different approach when it comes to who he idolises and who he takes the most from.
Alcaraz was asked by Tennis Channel about which players from the past that he would love to play against and he mooted that despite the constant comparisons between himself and Nadal, he instead sees himself more in Roger Federer who he models part of his game off.
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He said that he would love to play against him and despite Nadal being his idol, Federer tops his list more than anyone else. Unlike Nadal though, he won't have the chance to face Federer with the Swiss ace retiring in 2022 when his rise began and barring an exhibition, organisers take note, it is unlikely to happen.
"I've said it many times, my game is more similar to Roger's and I would like to play like him. I would like to play against him, at least once, but yes, I hope to do it. My idol is Rafael Nadal, but I want to say that I really want to play like Roger Federer, I won't lie. His style and his elegance on the court are something extraordinary," he told Tennis Channel.
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.
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