Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz in doubles action at the Paris Olympics
Rafael Nadal believes Carlos Alcaraz’s “mind needs a little rest” as he dismissed suggestions that the 21-year-old has “taken steps backwards mentally”.
Alcaraz has enjoyed another incredible year as he lifted the French Open and Wimbledon trophies while he also won silver at the Paris Olympics.
However, the youngster’s form has dipped since losing the Paris 2024 gold medal match against Novak Djokovic in straight sets as he followed it up with a second-round defeat at the Cincinnati Open against veteran Gael Monfils.
Despite the Cincy slip-up, he was expected to challenge for the US Open title, but was stunned in straight sets by world No 74 Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round.
After his exit from the final Grand Slam of the year, Alcaraz made some interesting comments about his mental state, saying: “Right now, I feel like I’ve taken steps backwards mentally and I don’t understand why.
“I’ve had a spectacular summer at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I left those tournaments saying that I’d taken a step forward mentally. I’d realised that to win big things, to win Grand Slam titles, you have to be mentally strong
“Now I’ve reached this swing and I’ve taken steps backwards, like I’m not doing well mentally, I’m not strong. I don’t know how to control myself when faced with problems and I don’t know how to handle it. I have to see exactly what happened, or what’s going on with me.”
During an interview with Spain’s El Hormiguero, tennis great Nadal addressed those Alcaraz comments as he made it clear that the four-time Grand Slam winner is tired as the past few months have been pretty tough.
“I don’t think Carlos is mentally not strong, what he is is a little bit tired and saturated by everything he has achieved this summer. Winning Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the silver in Paris,” the 22-time Grand Slam winner said.
“There is a certain moment when the mind also needs a little rest because in an Olympic year the calendar is even tighter and the demands are very high.”
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Alcaraz is already one of the best in tennis having won two Wimbledon titles, one US Open and one French Open crown while he also became the youngest-ever world No 1 in 2022 after winning at Flushing Meadows.
Naturally there have been comparisons with his great compatriot Nadal and while some could be affected negatively, elder statesman Nadal feels it won’t weigh him down.
“He is good enough so that comparisons don’t affect him. He is making his way, and I think it is a very nice coincidence that after a career like the one I am having, someone like Carlos has come out,” he said.
