Alcaraz is out of Monte Carlo due to injures. Nadal should have had a limited career due to his extremely physical game. He overcame it.
Alcaraz has a similar challenge. He needs to learn from Nadal, if possible. If this pattern continues, he won't fulfill his ambitions and the predictions by some that he'll surpass the Big three.
He could be out of tennis in five years if injuries pile up. Ask Del Potro.
I still subscribe to the GOAT herd philosophy. But "there can be only one" leading the herd. The current battle for that, if it's only slam events, is still ongoing until retirements settle it.
Some argue that minus injuries he would have 4 or 5 more wins at the Australian Open.
He could have had 4 or 5 more if Novak wasn't there as last year proved.
The same argument
could apply to Novak taking more French Open titles if Rafa wasn't
there.
This is not his best surface and carries more injury risk for him.
One person says it will happen. I have my doubts that it will happen anytime in the next two decades.
This may be Nadal's first expression of self-doubt. Once that creeps into your psyche, invincibility disappears. That is especially true once the other challengers in the pack sense weakness. The former Big 3 may soon become the Big 1.
Time is moving against Nadal. Alcaraz can thank political intrigue for denying his competition for #1 the opportunity to compete. More than one official has slipped when naming who is #1 when promoting his entry in their tournaments. Hint: his name rhymes with Slovak.
Alcaraz YE #1 - Rafa Joins Group Exit
Any thoughts of labeling them, any of them, villains should be dispelled. There may have been some politics along the way, but it seems that they set it aside.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1662548/Rafael-Nadal-John-McEnroe-US-Open-press-conference
At some point, the question has to be asked, is this precisely the situation, or is it overstated? He keeps coming back and playing and shows no noticeable reduction in function. I doubt how bad it is, so when do we call BS?
