With his straight-set loss to Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz has officially been eliminated from the ATP Finals. It has been an odd season with extreme ups and downs for Alcaraz. Alcaraz battled a cold in Turin and was outplayed by Casper Ruud and Zverev in his two losses.
Beyond being unwell and outplayed, Alcaraz seems to have a confidence issue on indoor hardcourts. He frequently spoke in Turin about getting better at playing on them.
Alcaraz ends his singles season as World No. 3 despite winning two of the four Grand Slams in 2024. He won the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back. Alcaraz has his eyes on the 2025 Australian Open. Winning it would give him the career Grand Slam, a feat only eight players before him have accomplished. The elite company Alcaraz is trying to join include Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
Emotional Carlos Alcaraz reacts to Nadal’s retirement 🥺 pic.twitter.com/3TjR2dtE6m
— TENNIS (@Tennis) October 11, 2024
First, Alcaraz has Team Spain business to attend at the Davis Cup Finals. It will be an emotional whirlwind for him as it is his idol Rafael Nadal‘s final competitive tournament. Alcaraz is struggling to come to terms with Nadal’s imminent retirement ever since hearing the news a month ago.
“For me, it is difficult to accept” 🥺
Carlos Alcaraz is not looking forward to Rafael Nadal’s retirement 💔 pic.twitter.com/UtOaalR0zR
— Eurosport (@eurosport) November 9, 2024
Will Alcaraz and Nadal Play Doubles?
Tennis fans worldwide hope there is an encore from the Paris Olympics of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz playing doubles. It was a joy to watch. Alcaraz was not experienced in doubles but absorbed everything he could from Nadal who has been a part of Spain’s five Davis Cup Championship teams dating back to 2004. He was instrumental in Spain’s most recent win in 2019.
5️⃣ DAYS TO GO! 🔥
VAMOS‼️ pic.twitter.com/m8Tz5IOjqU
— Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar (@rnadalacademy) November 14, 2024
In the meantime, Alcaraz has been a key part of Spain’s success in getting to the Davis Cup final eight. It seems only fitting that Alcaraz and Nadal should team together for this huge event in front of the home crowd.
Alcaraz has high hopes for Team Spain next week. He said: “I want to go in without any emotional expectations. We want to win the title for Spain and also for Rafa, to make sure his last tournament is as it should be.”
