Hair on end: Rafa Nadal’s message after seeing Alcaraz cry after the final against Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz lived through a bittersweet moment this Sunday at Roland Garros. The recent Wimbledon champion was beaten in the grand final of the Olympic tournament by a stellar Novak Djokovic, who added Olympic gold to his legendary record.

After the game, the Murcian broke down and started crying. Tears moved the spectators who packed the Philippe Chatrier court… and Rafa Nadal as well.

The 14-time Roland Garros champion He wanted to show his support for his doubles partner in the Olympic tournament through some good words on their social networks.

“Carlos, even though I know this day is difficult, appreciate a medal that is so important to the whole country and you will see, in time, that it is also for you.“he wrote on his Twitter account.

“Thank you for this incredible week and for a medal you are giving us in Spanish sport. A hug“added the Balearic tennis player, who is now resting in Mallorca before making a decision about his future.

Calmer after the game, Alcaraz put aside the bitterness he showed and He admitted that he probably felt more pressure because of the reality of playing for Spain.

“Maybe he felt, not more pressure, but different because he was playing for Spain for gold. I still put a bit of pressure on myself to play for Spain and I was playing against a player who still wanted that medal. The opposite is a player who does better in important moments. I didn’t give my best in the difficult moments, I didn’t raise the level in those moments and he. It’s a different pressure and the difference can be quite there,” said the Murcian tennis player with a medal hanging around his neck.

The four-time Grand Slam winner explained the reason for his tears at the end of the match.

“It was a difficult moment because I wanted more, I wanted the gold and losing was not pleasant. I left with my head held high; I left everything I had inside; When you lose like that you leave the court proud of what you did; You have Djokovic in front of you who has the same desire and played at a high level, sometimes better. The tears at the end are because I did not achieve the goal or the desire of the Spaniards and I was not able to make the Spaniards proud with a gold medal. I will leave with another medal, which is not easy, and I am proud to achieve it,” he added.

Carlos Alcaraz revealed that Djokovic, online, told him that he would win a gold medal one day. “In the end, Djokovic was happy with his people and I didn’t exchange many words, apart from the network thing, and He told me I would win gold one day. My omentum will come. He deserves to experience this with his family.. His tears mean that he really wanted that moment to come,” said the Spanish tennis player, who did not want to classify the Balkan player as the best in history even though he did as the most complete, according to the numbers.

“Best ever? There wasn’t a tournament he didn’t win. In terms of numbers I can’t say anything more.. He has achieved everything he set out to do. In the end, in terms of numbers and statistics, he is the best in history, but there are other factors that come into play and I cannot say who is the best in history. In terms of numbers, yes,” summarized Carlos Alcaraz.

The victory on the court of Phillipe Chatrier did not take place head-to-head between Djokovic and Alcaraz. The Serbian now has four wins and the Spanish three. A loss Alcaraz compared to what he suffered at the Cincinnati Masters 1,000.

“It reminds me of the loss in Cincinnatti because I also had chances. I was close and they fought and it was a good battle. The games I played with him were good battles, we gave people of a show and that’s what these kinds of games do to you.” to improve. Djokovic and these kinds of matches make me stronger and improve and keep growing. Let the little details fall on my side. I’m working hard to be better, to be better than him and to beat him,” added Alcaraz.

With silver around his neck, Carlos Alcaraz highlighted what he had experienced in a week full of intense emotions, with Rafael Nadal by his side. Something I have never experienced before.

“It’s been a different week than we’re used to. We experienced in the Olympic Village… the joy of other Spaniards winning in other sports. Tennis is lonely but we had the opportunity to play. doubles, with Rafa, learning from him what what I dreamed of, playing in the Olympics, playing with my idol, learning from him up close, achieving silver in my first games was amazing and I will remember the moment for the rest of my life,” Carlos Alcaraz summed up.