"It will motivate Nadal to improve" - Corretja on Alcaraz success

The unprecedented rise of Carlos Alcaraz in men’s tennis could also be ‘sensational’ for former world No.1 Rafael Nadal, according to Alex Corretja.

18-year-old Alcaraz shot to the limelight on Sunday when he became the youngest player in history to win the Miami Open and the third-youngest to ever win a Masters 1000 title. The triumph comes during what has been a stellar start to the season for the Spaniard who also became the youngest player in history to win an ATP 500 event in Rio. He has now recorded a total of seven wins over top 10 players.

Alex Corretja, who reached a ranking high of No.2 in 1999, believes the two players will motivate each other to improve their games further:

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"I think it is just perfect, it is sensational for Rafa because he is the biggest champion that we have ever had. Now he has a new kid that he knows what is going on in his mind, and Rafa will need to go to the limit to pass him and to beat him.“

He further said:

"This is perfect for him because it will lead Rafa to still improve his game. He will find ways to beat Alcaraz because he played against him in Indian Wells and suffered so much. He knows that he needs to play at his best to beat him. He is much older, but he has got much more experience. He is the best ever, especially on clay, but facing Carlos will be a big challenge for him.”