"It hurts me to see him suffer" - Alcaraz on Nadal playing through injury ahead of Roland Garros

Carlos Alcaraz says "it hurts him" to see his compatriot and idol Rafael Nadal suffering with injury ahead of Roland Garros.

Nadal lost in the round of 16 at the recent Italian Open, and spoke afterwards of the crippling pain caused by a long-term foot condition that is affecting not just his tennis career but also his life. Alcaraz has openly stated that Nadal is one of his idols, and he was candid about how he feels witnessing the 21-time major winner's difficult situation. 

"Nobody likes to see Nadal like this, he is a reference for everyone and it hurts me to see him suffer while playing the sport he loves. It hurts us all," admitted the 19-year old. "I know he had a few days to recover and I believe that in Paris he will be competitive again."

Alcaraz struggled with a foot injury of his own during the Madrid Open, where he beat Nadal in the quarter-finals. He went on to win the tournament in stunning fashion - seeing off Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals and Alexander Zverev in the final - but skipped Rome in a bid to rest and recover. 

The World No.6 shared an update on his fitness and mindset ahead of travelling to Paris, for what will be just his second appearance in the main draw of Roland-Garros.

“I'm preparing, training, getting my foot back and little by little I'm feeling better," he said. "I go to Paris with confidence because I think I have a chance."