'Never give up and fight' - Carlos Alcaraz says he was inspired by Rafael Nadal after losing to him at Indian Wells

Carlos Alcaraz says he learnt about «fighting spirit» from Rafael Nadal after playing his childhood idol at Indian Wells last month. The 18-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable two seasons on the ATP tour and has already won four tournaments, including his maiden Masters title in Miami on April 3 and the Barcelona Open last week. Ad/> Alcaraz has a 23-3 record in 2022 and one of those losses was a three-sets defeat to compatriot Nadal in the semi-finals of Indian Wells in March which lasted three hours and 12 minutes.

ATP MadridMadrid Open draw: Murray faces Thiem, potential Alcaraz-Nadal QF4 HOURS AGO Nadal won the Australian Open — his 21st Grand Slam title — earlier this year after beating Daniil Medvedev in a five-set final which lasted five hours and 24 minutes. Alcaraz, who could play Nadal for a third time at the quarter-final stage of the Madrid Open next week, says he has learnt to never give up after playing the 35-year-old in California. «I learned about the fighting spirit, of never giving up,» the world No.

9 told Spanish talk show El Hormiguero. «Many people will have also seen the Australian Open match, he was losing and came back almost miraculously. »From that match against him [at Indian Wells] I get the fighting spirit, never give up and fight until the last ball." Eurosport's Alex Corretja has warned against making comparisons between Alcaraz and Nadal, but it is one that the teenager is no stranger to.