The highly anticipated semi-final match at the inaugural Six Kings Slam in Riyadh is set to be a thrilling showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal. Alcaraz secured his spot in the final four with a commanding straight-sets victory over Holger Rune. The Spaniard showcased his resilience and adaptability on the hard court in Riyadh, eventually pulling away from his Danish opponent to seal the win.
Looking ahead to his semi-final clash with his idol, Nadal, Alcaraz expressed his determination to give it his all on the court. Despite his admiration for Nadal, Alcaraz emphasized that he will not hold back in their upcoming battle.
“I’m not surprised at all, because of the player he is, the legend he is. It doesn’t matter that he stayed away from tennis for three, four months. He’s going to come back stronger than ever before. So I’m going to try to play good tennis if I want to beat him, but I’m going to go full without fear,” Alcaraz said.
Reflecting on the impact Nadal has had on his career, Alcaraz spoke fondly of the iconic player.
“I grew up watching him. He was my idol, is still my idol. It is a shame that he announced that he’s going to retire from tennis. He’s a really important person for my life, for my career. He was one of the reasons that I wanted to become a professional tennis player, so knowing that he’s going to retire from tennis is pretty tough for everyone, for me,” Alcaraz shared.
As Alcaraz gears up to face Nadal in the semi-final, fans are eagerly anticipating a high-level match between the rising star and the seasoned champion. The stage is set for a memorable showdown between these two Spanish talents.
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner’s impressive performance in the tournament continued as he secured a victory over Daniil Medvedev. Sinner’s dominant display on the court, including a flawless opening set where he did not drop a game, led to Medvedev’s frustration and eventual defeat.
With his victory in the semi-final at the Shanghai Masters, Sinner solidified his position as the world’s number one player heading into the end of the calendar year. His upcoming clash with Novak Djokovic in the exhibition tournament semi-finals promises to be another exciting match in what has been a stellar season for the Italian player.