Rafael Nadal says the door will always be open for one of his compatriots to contact him for help in the future following their clash at the King Six Slam event in Saudi Arabia.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion took on Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday in what was their last match against each other before he retires from the sport next month at the Davis Cup. Nadal, who hasn’t played competitively since the Paris Olympics, lost 6-3, 6-3, to Alcaraz at the extravagant event. Those participating have been given an appearance fee of $1.5M and the champion will earn an additional $6m.
Alcaraz is regarded as Nadal’s successor in Spain after already winning a quartet of major tournaments and holding the No.1 spot. He is currently coached on the Tour by Juan Carlos Ferrero. As for the future, Nadal is willing to help his compatriot out if needed.
“I think he doesn’t need much advice. He has a great team, great family,” Nadal commented.
“He’s gonna be going very well with what he has. He’s learning all the time. We can see he’s evolving in every way. But of course, I’ll be ready any time he wants to call me.”
The 38-year-old will return to action on Saturday when he will play Novak Djokovic in the third-place playoff. Djokovic lost to world No.1 Jannik Sinner in three sets in her opening match. The duo have played against each other on the Tour 60 times with Djokovic winning 31 of those meetings.
“I am trying my best every single day here to be better and better,” said Nadal. “I have Davis Cup in front, in a month, so every day is an opportunity to be better and better and be ready for this final tournament of my tennis career that we are going to play together, defending our country, and I want to try my best to be ready for that so that I can help the team in some way.”
Nadal has won 92 ATP titles and earned $134,946,100 in Prize Money during his career.
