Carlos Alcaraz sends strongly-worded message to thank ‘exceptional’ Rafael Nadal for valuable learnings
Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 2 and defending French Open champion, shared a heartfelt and strongly-worded message on May 22, 2025, via Instagram, thanking his idol Rafael Nadal for the “exceptional” lessons that have shaped his career. As reported by The Tennis Letter, Alcaraz praised Nadal’s on-court mentality and off-court humility, writing, “Rafa, you’re an exceptional person. Your passion, preparation, and way of handling pressure have been a masterclass for me. Thank you for showing me what it means to be a champion, on and off the court.” The message followed Alcaraz’s 2025 Italian Open title win over Jannik Sinner, where he credited Nadal’s influence for his ability to manage high-stakes moments, a skill honed during their 2024 Paris Olympics doubles partnership.
Alcaraz, who has often cited Nadal as his childhood hero, highlighted specific learnings from their time together, particularly at the Olympics, where they reached the quarterfinals. “Playing doubles with Rafa taught me how to stay calm under pressure and approach every match with intensity,” he told Roland Garros Magazine, per Tennishead.net. He emphasized Nadal’s ability to treat each point with equal importance, a trait Alcaraz adopted to navigate tough matches like his 7-6(5), 6-1 Rome final victory. Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, responded to Alcaraz’s Italian Open win with a one-word Instagram comment, “Bravo,” showing his continued support, as noted by SportsTak.[](https://tennishead.net/carlos-alcaraz-explains-what-he-learned-from-playing-with-rafael-nadal-at-the-2024-paris-olympics/)[](https://thesportstak.com/amp/tennis/story/rafael-nadal-leaves-one-word-message-for-fellow-spaniard-carlos-alcaraz-after-he-defeated-jannik-sinner-to-claim-maiden-rome-title-3177291-2025-05-20)
The tennis community on X, including @TennisXtra, amplified Alcaraz’s tribute, with fans praising the “Nadalcaraz” bond, though some, like @TennisFan123, noted Alcaraz’s desire to forge his own path, as expressed in his Netflix documentary *Carlos Alcaraz: My Way*: “I don’t want to be Rafa’s successor, I want to be Carlos Alcaraz.” As Alcaraz prepares for Roland Garros, starting May 25, 2025, his message underscores the profound impact of Nadal’s mentorship, fueling his ambition to defend his title and add to his four Grand Slams while carving out his own legacy.
