"What a joy to see you again": Carlos Alcaraz responds after Rafael Nadal's superb return at Brisbane International
ATP
Carlos
Alcaraz left a comment for his compatriot Rafael Nadal after a fantastic
victory over Dominic Thiem, securing a 7-5, 6-1 win in the first round of the
2024 Brisbane International. The 20-year-old Spanish sensation congratulated
Nadal, who made a remarkable comeback after 12 months without competing,
demonstrating that he remains at good level
Nadal and
Alcaraz have faced each other three times, with the 22-times Grand Slam
champion claiming victory twice. The post garnered thousands of comments and
surpassed 400,000 on Instagram, including Alcaraz's message: 'What a joy to see
you again on track, Rafa!' the world No. 2 exclaimed.
Nadal reflects on his recent years
Rafa Nadal
surprised with an emotional comeback after the longest hiatus of his career and
commented in the post-match press conference about his immense pride in
returning to competition:
“Today is
honestly an emotional and important day for me after probably one of the
toughest years of my tennis career, without a doubt. I had the chance to come
back after a year and play in front of an amazing crowd and play, I think, at a
very positive level,” Nadal said.
“On the
first day, it is something that makes us feel proud. Myself, all the team and
family that have been there every single day during the past year,” he added.
Despite the
victory over Thiem, the Spaniard still doesn't see himself in his best physical
condition, but he was able to compensate by showing a high success rate with
his serve. Nadal won 90% of his points with the first serve and 86% with the
second, a key factor in the victory.
The 2-times
Australian Open champion advanced to the second round and will face wild card
Jason Kubler. The Australian player progressed past the first round against the
8th seed Aslan Karatsev, who retired when the score was 4-6, 7-6 in favor of
Kubler."
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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