Home » How Carlos Alcaraz’s victory at Indian Wells made him believe he could defeat Rafael Nadal’s idol

Carlos Alcaraz pushing Rafael Nadal to the limit in the 2022 Indian Wells tournament, according to coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, was the moment the 19-year-old Spaniard was confident he was ready to be this idol. In three sets, 6-2 1-6 6-3, Nadal defeated Alcaraz in the 2022 Indian Wells quarterfinal.

Two months later, Alcaraz defeated his idol in the 2022 Madrid quarterfinal, defeating him 6-2 1-6 6-3 to secure his first victory over Nadal. In their first encounter in Madrid in 2021, Nadal prevailed decisively, 6-1, 6-2.

“He told me before we played in Madrid. No matter who his opponent is, he consistently believes that he can win thanks to his tennis prowess. Following the hammering Nadal handed him the year before, the Indian Wells match helped him feel himself as being closer to Rafa.

That gave him the confidence to carry out his plans for Madrid, Ferrero told Marca.

Ferrero: Nadal faces rivals for the French Open championship in addition to Alcaraz.

Ferrero stressed that there are other players who have a chance to win the French Open in 2023 when asked who Alcaraz‘s main competition is for Nadal.

“I believe there are more competitors. There’s Djokovic, Tsitsipas, and Zverev, who also excels on clay, according to Ferrero. Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud in the 2022 US Open final to win a Grand Slam title. Alcaraz has now focused on achieving further Grand Slam victories in 2023.

He believes he can win the next one after winning the first one, so it’s on his mind. The Masters 1000 and Grand Slam must be your biggest objectives if you are ranked first or second. We don’t talk about it every day, but he’ll aim for Roland Garros.

He wants to play good on grass, and I agree, so Wimbledon is another goal. Additionally, he will have a unique experience at the US Open when he defends his championship, according to Ferrero.