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Spanish tennis players Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. AFP/File

Spanish tennis players Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.

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TENNIS

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1729162953553101724_nadal alcaraz.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Spanish tennis players Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. AFP/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Spanish tennis players Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. <em>AFP/File</em><u></u></span></span></span>RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Carlos Alcaraz admitted Wednesday it will be a &quot;difficult moment&quot; facing &quot;idol&quot; Rafael Nadal when the Spanish superstars clash for the final time.</div><p>Nadal, the winner of 22 Grand Slam titles, announced last week that he will retire from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month.</p><p>On Thursday, however, the 38-year-old will take on Alcaraz for a place in the final of the &quot;Six Kings Slam&quot; exhibition event in Riyadh.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/10/10/rafael-nadal-calls-time-on-epic-tennis-career-1807">READ: Rafael Nadal calls time on epic tennis career</a></div><p>&quot;Since I started to play tennis, I&#x27;m watching his matches. I look up to him and I grew up watching him. He was my idol, he is still my idol,&quot; Alcaraz said on court after defeating Holger Rune 6-4, 6-2 to set-up an emotional meeting with Nadal.</p><p>&quot;A really important person for my life, for my career and he was one of the reasons that I wanted to become a professional tennis player. Knowing he is going to retire is pretty tough for everyone, for me.&quot;</p><p>Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, added: &quot;I will try to enjoy sharing the court with him once again, but I think it is really difficult for everyone.&quot;</p><p>Nadal and Alcaraz have met three times on the main ATP Tour with the soon-to-be retired veteran holding a 2-1 advantage.</p><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABOkeQ6s98DA9Rha&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script><p>The Spanish pair played doubles together at the Paris Olympics this year and they are expected to team-up again at the Davis Cup Finals.</p><p>Nadal also made his last singles appearance at the Games on the same Roland Garros courts where he won 14 French Open titles.</p><p>His Olympic singles campaign was ended by old rival Novak Djokovic in the second round.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/10/10/rafael-nadal-s-retirement-what-they-are-saying-2201">READ: Rafael Nadal&#x27;s retirement: What they are saying</a></div><p>Thursday&#x27;s other semi-final in Riyadh sees Djokovic tackle Australian Open and US Open champion Jannik Sinner.</p><p>World number one Sinner eased past Daniil Medvedev 6-0, 6-3 on Wednesday.</p><p>&quot;The semi-final against Novak will be a different match than the ones we played in the past,&quot; said Sinner who defeated the 24-time Grand Slam title winner in the Shanghai Masters final last Sunday.</p><p>&quot;We know each other quite well and we know what to expect from each other.</p><p>&quot;I don&#x27;t know what&#x27;s going to happen tomorrow, but I am just trying to play the best possible tennis, and we will see how it goes.&quot;</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>Carlos Alcaraz admitted Wednesday it will be a "difficult moment" facing "idol" Rafael Nadal when the Spanish superstars clash for the final time.</p>

Carlos Alcaraz admitted Wednesday it will be a "difficult moment" facing "idol" Rafael Nadal when the Spanish superstars clash for the final time.

Tennis: Alcaraz will face 'difficult' clash with 'idol' Nadal

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Tennis: Alcaraz will face 'difficult' clash with 'idol' Nadal

Agence France-Presse

Published Oct 17, 2024 07:59 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 17, 2024 08:49 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

tennis

Six Kings Slam

Rafael Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic

Jannik Sinner

Daniil Medvedev

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