Carlos Alcaraz chides interviewer for referring to Rafael Nadal as "loser" after former's Six Kings Slam win over his legendary compatriot

Carlos Alcaraz urged the post-match on-court interviewer to refrain from referring to Rafael Nadal as a "loser" following the pair's semifinal clash at the ongoing Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Alcaraz emerged victorious over the 22-time Major winner and former World No. 1, comfortably dispatching the veteran 6-3, 6-3 to storm into the final of the exhibition tournament.

Alcaraz set up the semifinal encounter with Nadal after defeating Holger Rune in the quarterfinals. The Spaniard had been given direct passage to the semifinals by Riyadh Season, the organizers of the event.

The reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion was the favorite on paper, and so it proved on the court as well. While Rafael Nadal produced glimpses of his own past brilliance, it was Carlos Alcaraz who dominated proceedings. The latter will now battle it out against Jannik Sinner in the final for the lucrative $6,000,000 winner's paycheck.

Immediately following the conclusion of his match against Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz and the 22-time Grand Slam champion came together for the post-match, on-court interview. Here, interviewer Andrew Castle, a prominent British broadcaster and former tennis player, asked Alcaraz:

"Do you mind if I start with the loser? (referring to Nadal)" (at 0:02)

To this question, the current World No. 2 started gesturing with his hands and replied:

"Don’t talk like that. Don’t talk like that."

Castle quickly backtracked on his choice of words.

"There is no loser. You are Rafa," Castle said, pointing to Nadal.

Alcaraz was full of praise and adulation for Nadal later, and expressed his feeling of good fortune at featuring as his legendary's compatriot's opponent in one of his last matches. Nadal's last hurrah is set to come at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals next month.

"This is Rafael Nadal's moment" - Carlos Alcaraz after beating veteran compatriot at Six Kings Slam

Rafael Nadal (L) and Carlos Alcaraz (R) at the 2024 Paris Olympics (Image Source: Getty)

In an interaction with Arab News following his win over Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz refused to make things about him despite his victory. Instead, the World No. 2 wanted to keep the focus firmly on Nadal, whose retirement is inching closer.

"This is Nadal’s moment. It is emotional for us all. I feel lucky that I get to play him for one of the last times," Alcaraz said.

The four-time Major champion had previously expressed his sadness over Nadal calling time on his illustrious career at a Six Kings Slam press conference.

"Since I started to play tennis, I’ve been watching his matches. He was my idol, and knowing he is going to retire is tough for everyone," Alcaraz had stated.

Alcaraz and Nadal had famously paired up to represent Spain in men's doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The duo reached the quarterfinals before losing to eventual runners-up from the USA, Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.

Before the Six Kings Slam, Alcaraz competed at the Shanghai Masters, where he reached the quarterfinals before losing 6-7(5), 5-7 to 30th seed Tomas Machac.