Many often compare (too prematurely) the careers of Rafael Nadal and Carlitos Alcaraz: a comparison that WTA No.13 Daria Kasatkina does not like.
The Russian criticized those who make comparisons between the present and the past of a sport, be it tennis or otherwise, also speaking about the style of play between the two, which is very different, even if there are those who continue to make the connection.
“I love Spanish tennis and right now I like how Carlos Alcaraz plays. Honestly I see almost nothing of Rafael Nadal in him and we are talking about a totally different tennis player. I have never liked when they put labels on young tennis players, labels regarding comparisons with older athletes. We have always seen things like the new Maria Sharapova or the next Rafael Nadal but all this is wrong. Even in soccer we see things like the next Lionel Messi or the next Cristiano Ronaldo. All this is simply wrong.
We are talking about different people at different levels, time does not stop and they are different eras and generations. Each one is unique and different. Even on the court I see a different atmosphere for them, they have in common that they are both Spanish and that they both say Vamos, then almost nothing. But their styles are different, Alcaraz is right-handed and Nadal is left-handed, I think they are very different and I really like watching Alcaraz play,” she analyzed, highlighting the discrepancies for a comparison between two tennis players who only have nationality and innate talent in common, but different playstyles and careers still incomparable.
🎙️Daria Kasatkina frustrated with comparisons between Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.
🇪🇸 Says that, aside from both being Spanish and saying “Vamos!”, they have little in common with each other.
👉 ”Their styles of play are completely different.” https://t.co/DUOO14cBpk
— Carlos Alcaraz Daily (@alcarazdaily) September 17, 2024
Anyway, we have toi say that Spanish tennis is in good hands: Spain has immediately managed to replace a legend like Nadal with a young star like Carlitos. Rafa has not yet retired but has been playing like a part-time tennis player for over a year now and he has missed several tournaments due to physical problems or even lack of motivation.