Rafa Nadal reaches out to Carlos Alcaraz after Indian Wells win

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Rafael Nadal has sent fellow Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz a classy message after his young Spanish rival reclaimed the world No.1 ranking. The 19-year-old beat Daniil Medvedev in the final at Indian Wells which gave him enough ranking points to leapfrog Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz shot to stardom by winning last year’s US Open earning him the world No.1 tag, which he finished the season with. However, the Spaniard suffered an abdominal tear ahead of the ATP Finals and then was forced to pull out of the Australian Open with a hamstring injury.

The teenager admitted to taking inspiration from Nadal and Djokovic on his road back to fitness from three months out. After winning the Argentina Open, Alcaraz was in top form at Indian Wells winning each match in straight sets – including the final victory against Medvedev 6-3, 6-2.

After the final, Nadal posted an Instagram picture of Alcaraz celebrating with the Indian Wells trophy with the message: ‘Congrats @carlitosalcarazz on returning to #1 and the title at Indian Wells!!!’ Nadal also won his first Grand Slam title aged 19 and will know the pressure which the teenager felt while spending months on the side-lines.

Tennis reporter José Morgado tweeted that Alcaraz’s return from injury to win at Indian Wells was ‘up there with his best achievements’ with many believing the youngster has developed a scary Nadal trait. Djokovic was unable to defend his world No.1 status after being refused access to America due to his non-vaccination status against Covid.

Alcaraz will be favourite to retain his crown at next week’s Miami Open and Djokovic will again be absent. The Spaniard goes to Miami knowing that he will need to defend the title he won last year to maintain his ranking points or risk losing the No.1 status.

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