Alcaraz desires Nadal totally match for French Open swansong in 2024
F
rench Open favorite Carlos Alcaraz is hopeful Rafael Nadal can return from harm for a last shot at Roland Garros subsequent yr.
The 14-time winner was forced to miss this year’s event for the primary time since 2004 with an ongoing hip harm and appears prone to be absent for the remainder of the season, however the 36-year-old has set his sights on a last aggressive yr if his physique permits.
And Alcaraz, the event No1 seed, mentioned: “I felt bad when I hear that Rafa, he was not able to play here in Roland Garros and probably the rest of the year. I always want to watch Rafa playing. Hopefully we’ll see him next year that he’s 100%.”
The 20-year-old has loved a great clay-court build-up to Paris, profitable titles in each Barcelona and Madrid, however faces a possible semi-final match-up towards Novak Djokovic because the Serbian bids for an outright document 23rd Grand Slam title.
Alcaraz reached the quarter-finals of the French Open final yr earlier than dropping in 4 units to Alexander Zverev.
Asked if he was a greater participant 12 months on, the Spaniard mentioned: “Talking about tennis, I would say I’m the same player than last year. The only change that I would say is that I’m more mature.
“And mentally I’m better, and I can read what happens on the court better than last year. For me, it’s really, really important and I would say it’s the most different from last year.”