More than two and a half months later, Rafa Nadal reunited with Carlos Alcaraz on a tennis court. Back in Paris, they were allies and partners in the Olympic doubles. Last Thursday in Riyadh, they were rivals in a prestigious exhibition tournament. The event known as the Six Kings Slam takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Since Nadal and Alcaraz were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Olympic event, the manacorí had not played any matches. He withdrew from, among other tournaments, the US Open, and last week he announced his retirement date during the Davis Cup finals in Malaga, next November.
Therefore, Nadal did not arrive in Riyadh with high expectations, except for getting some practice before his upcoming official appearance in a month. On the other hand, Alcaraz has many years ahead of him. The young player from Murcia defeated the Spaniard 3-6, 3-6, and will play in the final this Saturday against Sinner, who defeated Djokovic.
The player from Murcia will seek the title in this millionaire exhibition against Sinner, who defeated Djokovic
As it happened at the Games, Rafa Nadal alternated points of supreme quality that reminded of the champion he always was with more erratic and irregular shots. What he has been referring to lately as “not having the necessary quality of shot” to compete at the elite level. His winning forehands were greeted with enthusiasm by the crowd and also by his entourage. His father, his wife, his son, his team, and his representative were there. Meanwhile, Alcaraz was focused on his own game, but he had to fight for it. Because if there is one thing Nadal will have until the end of his tennis days, it is grit. This is how he saved two set points before conceding the first set 6-3. In the second set, the player from Murcia accelerated his game even further and didn't give Nadal any chances, winning 6-7(0).
The Balearic player will compete for the third and fourth place this Saturday against Djokovic. On the brink of retiring from the professional circuit, Nadal had chosen to be cautious about his chances in such a demanding environment. “My chances are not very high, I just want to be on the court, be part of the show, and have the fans enjoy the entertainment,” he said on the day of his arrival in Riyadh. In practice, he lived up to what he had said. He didn't win, but he thrilled the fans.
In the first semifinal, Novak Djokovic and Jannick Sinner battled it out as if a crucial final of the circuit was at stake. There was no showcasing just for the sake of it, but rather winning shots left and right. The Serbian, seemingly struggling with physical issues, as so many times before, reacted after clearly losing the first set by 6-2 and clinched the second in a tiebreaker, by 6-7 (0). Whether it was for the hugely important prize money (the largest in tennis history) or for prestige, the fact is that both players put up a tremendous fight. Sinner took the win by 6-4 in the third set. It is truly the era of the young players.
