Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz made headlines earlier this year for what he said in his Netflix documentary Carlos Alcaraz: My Way. In the series, the 22-year-old said that he doesn’t want to be compared to fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal anymore.
“I don’t want to be called Rafa’s successor. I want to be called Carlos Alcaraz Garfia,” he said, making it clear that while he respects Nadal but he wants to be known for his own achievements.
Nadal defends Alcaraz
However, Nadal supported Alcaraz’s words. He said that comparisons can be tiring for young players and may add unnecessary pressure. “When you’re young and they’re constantly comparing you to some professional that’s been on the circuit for many years, there are times you get tired of hearing it,” he said.
“This leads to an excess of pressure and in the end, I think it can distort your daily life and even confuse you,” he added.
The documentary also gave fans a look at Alcaraz’s personal life. It showed that the young star sometimes finds it difficult to balance tennis with life off the court. He admitted to partying in Ibiza after losing to Novak Djokovic in the 2023 French Open semifinals.