When it comes to tennis in Spain, Rafael Nadal is the gold standard. With a record 22 Grand Slam titles and unrivaled dominance on clay—including 14 Roland Garros crowns—Nadal’s accomplishments have set a nearly impossible benchmark for other Spanish players. For Carlos Alcaraz, the weight of these expectations is ever-present, and he didn’t hold back in addressing this dynamic.
After advancing to the final of the Barcelona Open by defeating France’s Arthur Fils in straight sets, Alcaraz is set to face Denmark’s Holger Rune as he chases his third career title at the tournament. During his post-match press conference, Alcaraz reflected on how Nadal’s storied career has shaped the expectations placed on Spanish players.
“We’ve had so many great athletes in Spain that people are spoiled,” Alcaraz admitted. “If we don’t win, everything is seen as a failure. The good moments are magnified, but the bad ones create an exaggerated bubble”.
He continued, “I’m grateful for the support I’ve always received, and I’ve had more positives than negatives, but the negatives weigh ten times more than the positives. In Spain, Rafa has spoiled us—along with other giants—and that’s something that shouldn’t be the case”.
Alcaraz says matching Nadal’s feats is impossible
From the moment Alcaraz began making waves in the tennis world, comparisons to Nadal were inevitable. After all, Alcaraz became the youngest player in ATP history to claim the No. 1 ranking following his 2022 U.S. Open victory. Still, he believes replicating Nadal’s career achievements is out of reach.
“Yes,” Alcaraz said when asked if Nadal’s records are untouchable. “What Rafa has done on clay is the greatest thing in sports—not just in tennis. Winning 14 Roland Garros titles, 11 Monte Carlo crowns, including eight in a row—that’s unbelievable. Only people who are out of this world can achieve that”.
Bjorn Borg thinks Alcaraz can surpass Nadal
Before the start of the Barcelona Open, tennis legend Bjorn Borg weighed in on Alcaraz’s potential during an interview with RTVE. The former world No. 1 offered a bold prediction, suggesting the young Spaniard could eventually outdo Nadal.
“I believe that Alcaraz will achieve the same or even more than Nadal,” Borg stated. “He has the right mentality and can play on all surfaces. With a bit of luck, he will be the king of tennis”.