Nadal voices strong support for Carlos Alcaraz ahead of their Indian Wells clash

Spanish legend Rafael Nadal will face countryman Carlos Alcaraz in a semi-final clash at the BNP Paribas Open after battling through Kyrgios.

The victory means the World No. 4 will next meet 18-year-old prodigy Alcaraz - who he holds enormous respect for - in his toughest test yet in Indian Wells. Speaking on that match, Nadal said:

"He has a great team next to him. I think he will be unstoppable in terms of his career. He has all the ingredients. He has the passion. He’s humble enough to work hard. He’s a good guy. He reminds me a lot of myself when I was 17 or 18-years-old. I think he has the passion. He has the talent and the physical components.”

Despite likely being a problem for him in the near future, Nadal is very happy to him compatriot suceed:

“I am super happy. He is going to be a great rival for now and for the next couple of months, without a doubt. But thinking and being selfish, it's great. To have such a star from my country [is amazing], because for the tennis lovers, we're going to enjoy [watching] an amazing player fight for the most important titles for many years."

He finished off with:

“It is fantastic for the tennis lovers and he's a countryman and he's a great guy. I like him. I wish him all the very best. Probably not on Saturday when he plays against me, but in general.”