Carlos Alcaraz Says He Is Looking Forward To Semi-Final Showdown Against Rafael Nadal At The Six Kings Slam

Carlos Alcaraz has confessed that he is looking forward to his Six Kings Slam semi-final clash against Rafael Nadal on Thursday. 

The Spanish duo will go head-to-head for the very last time in at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Nadal will be retiring from tennis after the conclusion of the Davis Cup in November.

Unsurprisingly, ticket prices for the prestigious event have skyrocketed after the 22-time Grand Slam champion announced he was hanging up his racket.

Alcaraz set up the showdown with Nadal after beating Holger Rune 6-4 6-2 in the exhibition event. The winner will face either Novak Djokovic or world no. 1  Jannik Sinner in the final.

Carlos Alcaraz Can’t Wait To Play His Idol In Saudi Arabia

The Six Kings Slam is a not an ATP-sanctioned event so ranking points aren’t available. However, that hasn’t stopped the excitement Carlos Alcaraz is feeling ahead of playing ‘idol’ Rafael Nadal.

Furthermore, the overall winner of the exhibition event will scoop around £4.6 million in prize money. Something of which won’t distract Alcaraz.

“Since I started to play tennis, I’m watching his matches. I look up to him and I grew up watching him. He was my idol, he is still my idol,” Alcaraz said after beating Holger Rune.

“A really important person for my life, for my career and he was one of the reasons that I wanted to become a professional tennis player. Knowing he is going to retire is pretty tough for everyone, for me.

“I will try to enjoy sharing the court with him once again, but I think it is really difficult for everyone.”

Overall, Alcaraz and Nadal have face each other three times with the latter holding a 2-1 lead. Thursday’s meeting will be the first time they have squared off in two years. Alcaraz won at the Madrid Open that day.