It is an exhibition, but it is still a gift for tennis, Spanish and world, this latest clash between the future and the already past of tennis. A Carlos Alcaraz – Rafael Nadal wrapped in glitter and cotton in this unreal scenario built in dollars. They respect each other to the maximum, shown in those exchanges that were dedicated, more typical of the tennis of yesterday, which the Balearic Islands represent so well, than that of today, of which one of the best exponents is the Murcian. They also demonstrated it because they started with the handbrake on, that there is a greater objective in a month, in the Davis Cup, when, yes, Nadal will hit his last ball as a professional, but it began to slip from their minds as they passed and They passed the ball over the net.
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Before this high-profile duel, a clash of two eras, past and future facing each other, emotions on both sides of the net, there were some exceptional opening acts. Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic They do not have an exhibition mode and they played for a place in the final in a dog’s face, with the Italian triumphing 6-2, 6-7 (0) and 6-4. The Spaniards treated each other with more affection later, but no less adrenaline. There is care in Nadal’s first movements, getting the hang of the court and trying not to clash due to the lack of filming – his last official match was in the quarter-finals of Paris 2024, partnering with the Murcian, precisely -, and the howitzers from a more comfortable Alcaraz. It is difficult for him to start, delivering his serve blank, and the one from El Palmar offers him no compassion. Nadal does not want it, he is still the king because he is the one who gets the biggest applause when he begins to gain tone in the match.
He is not the Nadal of great feats, who finds it difficult to achieve what his rival proposes, but what does it matter, he is Nadal, owner of the poisoned forehand even on this very fast track, of the cross reverses that riddle the Murcian and wake up the best memories and those subtle touches of the wrist with which he has dazzled everyone in these twenty years of his career. Those with whom he endures in a balanced first set despite the initial break against because he finds small errors from Alcaraz, from whom he also receives applause of recognition because, simply, he is the one who opened the path that he now follows.
It is, as his coach Carlos Moyà says after the first set, one of the last trips that the Balearic player experiences as a professional tennis player, with them as a team, so the match is enjoyed above any mistake, and so is the Manacor on the track, aware that these are the last moments in which he will feel the adrenaline of the competition, one of the things that those who say goodbye miss most, and the affection of the fans, brought to their feet with each response with which He tries to stop Alcaraz’s speed and, above all, with that ‘Let’s go’ so characteristic of this unrepeatable tennis player.
It is difficult for him to reach Nadal, but he does not give in, as he has never done and will not start now, due to the discouragement of realizing that his legs are not in tune for this dizzying tennis and on this surface that is not the one that has treated him best. . The essence remains intact, the patience, the forgetting of mistakes – double faults, above all –, the working for another opportunity in case the other is confident and can enter with his forehand or his backhand where the speed of his legs cannot do so.
But Alcaraz has learned a lot from the Balearic Islands, he is his idol, and he treats him as such in the second set, without slowing down his hitting or moving around the court, granting him the honor of seeing a high-level version of himself in this match to the memory of the two. The last one as professionals, even if it is a tournament without points or trophies for the showcase. What does it matter? It is a Nadal-Alcaraz, the fourth in their short history together. That’s why the Balearic is let loose, who forgets everything and lets what he is emerge: the one who never gives up, the one with supersonic right hands, the one who strings together three cut backhands because the rival reaches everything and allows himself to smile with his fist. high when he finally leaves it nailed to the other side. The Nadal who refuses to put down the racket and let go of the baton, no matter how much time, his body and his younger rivals push him.
He smiles and allows the staff to get excited, because he loses with authority against a respectful Alcaraz, but he leaves another mark that his farewell in a month, in the Davis Cup, will be in style, with everything he is and everything which means: great tennis, pride, bravery, pride and persistence. “I’m going to prepare,” the Spaniard also leaves in the congratulatory message to the winner on the Internet, with laughter and hugs because this was an exhibition, but above all it is a tribute: applause from the pupil to the teacher.
«I think it was a good performance, although a little short to play against Carlos. I have always felt very supported by everyone. I cannot thank you for everything you have offered me. In good times and bad, they have lifted my energy. I feel more than lucky for the response from all the fans. “I don’t think he’s the best, because since he was born I’ve lost more than I’ve won,” commented the Spaniard at his farewell, although this Saturday he will play against Djokovic for bronze. «I will probably train a little because you have to reach Djokovic in the best conditions. I have tried to be better and better every day here, and to be as good as possible in a month, in the Davis Cup. That’s what I’m also trying to do, to get better and better so I can help the team in whatever way I can,” he later admitted about the true objective. “I will be available for Carlos whenever he wants to call me,” the Spaniard proposed.
On Saturday the last tribute will be given with the tennis of his generation, the final classic against Djokovic. Neither the Balearic nor the Serbian give up, even though they lost today, but they do accept the new kings who will play in the final, Alcaraz and Sinner, by their side.
«It has been great to share the court once again with him. It was too much, but I had to focus to do a good job,” Alcaraz shared.
