The Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal his countrymen are now assured Carlos Alcaraz has earned world number one status in the ATP rankings, and predicted the Norwegian Casper Ruudwho will join him in an exhibition match this Sunday at Quito, Ecuador)that position will soon be reached.
In a press conference held at Plaza San Francisco, in the historic center of Ecuador’s capital, Nadal, who is currently number two in the ATP rankings, reckoned it would be difficult for the two Spaniards to stay in power in the world. ranking.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a trend. It’s hard to maintain such a high level. I play very few events at this point, so it’s hard to maintain a very high ranking because you have to be very successful in events. where you compete”, commented Nadal.
“Carlos has incredible potential and that’s why he’s where he is, because he deserves it, and he’s also very young and has a lot ahead of him. Casper is very close to being number one in the world and won his first grand slam in US Opens”, added the Mallorcan tennis player.
Nadal, the only tennis player to have 22 Grand Slam titles to his credit, prefers not to define himself as the greatest in history. “I don’t think about it. I think it’s something that needs a backseat,” he said.
“The important legacy is that all the people I have been with during the 20 years of my career have good memories of me as a person. After all, the personal issue, the education, the respect and the love you can treat the people are more than the professional issue, because it is what remains over time,” he added.
For his part, Ruud, who trained at Nadal’s academy, assured that “you can learn everything from Rafa, from any kind of shot to mentality and professionalism.”
“When I came to the academy, I was surprised by the intensity of each training session, and that helped me to increase the intensity I put into each training. Rafa’s team and his family are incredible. They are always with I and they did an amazing job in a young community,” said Ruud.
“Rafa was my idol growing up. Many people know if they have followed my career, so I was very flattered to be part of this tour. I was very excited for weeks,” said the Norwegian.
The current number three in the ATP ranking recalled that he was in Quito a few years ago to play a tournament, where he pointed out that it was “very special” to be back today in the capital of Ecuador in the company of Rafa Nadal.
The Nordic hopes Sunday’s match against Nadal could be the first time he has beaten the Spaniard, something he has yet to achieve, either in the 2022 Roland Garros final or the ATP Masters Cup in Turin, or in friendlies matches played. days ago in Buenos Aires and Belo Horizonte (Brazil).
However, he warned that Quito’s 2,800 meter altitude would be a handicap and promised to do his best.
Nadal and Ruud’s visit to Quito takes place within the framework of the Mallorcan tennis player’s exhibition tour in Latin America, where he has already passed through Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile and Belo Horizonte (Brazil), while then the capital of Ecuadorian will head. in Bogota and Mexico City.
Source: La Verdad
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