Rafael Nadal classy in defeat: Carlos Alcaraz was better and I'm happy for him



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Rafael Nadal classy in defeat: Carlos Alcaraz was better and I'm happy for him

Record 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal showed his class after losing to Carlos Alcaraz, saying the 19-year-old was better and deserved to win. On Friday in Madrid, Spanish tennis fans had a chance to watch Spain's best two players go against each other.

For the first time in his career, Alcaraz defeated Nadal 6-2 1-6 6-3. It was the third meeting between the two and Alcaraz's first win over Nadal. “Happy for Carlos. He was better in various aspects. I need to get better like I said previously.

I accept that. I have two and a half weeks to get ready to have real options in Paris," Nadal said, per Jose Morgado.

Nadal: I won't blame my foot

Nadal was out for a month and a half before returning to action in Madrid.

After the loss versus Alcaraz, Nadal refused to speak about his foot and maybe blame the loss on his lingering foot issues. "I will not talk about my foot today. I will talk about tennis. Need to be quicker, react better, read the game better," Nadal said.

Nadal won two tight matches versus Miomir Kecmanovic and David Goffin before losing to Alcaraz.

Nadal plays next Rome and he hopes to improve a few areas there. "Need to be more dynamic, quicker, hit deeper. I have the right mindset. I have to accept what my main goal," Nadal revealed.

Nadal sustained a rib stress fracture in Indian Wells. After losing to Alcaraz, Nadal revealed he was hoping to kick off his clay season in Estoril.

Estoril took place last week but Nadal decided against playing there because he didn't want to rush his comeback. “Coming back in this tournament isn’t ideal. These are the most different conditions to Roland Garros that we have in this clay season.I wanted to comeback in Estoril, sea level, but wasn’t ready and didn’t want to risk it," Nadal said.

Rafael Nadal Carlos Alcaraz