"I was in shock" - Carlos Alcaraz discloses learning about Rafael Nadal's retirement hours before Shanghai loss, pens emotional message

Carlos Alcaraz, who crashed out of the ongoing 2024 Shanghai Masters on Thursday, October 10, disclosed that he learned about Rafael Nadal’s retirement an hour before his match. The Spaniard wrote an emotional message, reminiscing about the time he spent with his idol.

Alcaraz suffered a shocking 7-6 (5), 7-5 upset against Czech Tomas Machac in the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters. The recently crowned Beijing champion was on a 12-match winning streak, having not lost since Spain’s Davis Cup group stage ties in September.

Interestingly, the defeat came just hours after Carlos Alcaraz’s idol Rafael Nadal had announced his retirement from tennis, with the upcoming Davis Cup Finals in Malaga (November 19-24) being his career’s final event.

In his post-match press conference after the surprising loss, Alcaraz was asked whether the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s news impacted him on court. The 21-year-old rubbished the narrative.

"It didn't affect me at all before the match. I didn't get distracted at all. I was just really focused on the match. I didn't think about Rafa's news," he assured.

While he agreed that the news was “tough to accept,” Carlos Alcaraz reiterated that he was able to snap out of it in time for the match.

"Obviously when I watched it, it was tough to accept it. I was in shock a little bit. Thanks that I saw it like one hour before the match, so I had time to accept it and forget it a little bit before the match," he said.

"It is a really difficult thing, really difficult news for everybody, and even tougher for me. He has been my idol since I start playing tennis. I look up to him. Proudly, thanks to him, I really wanted to become professional tennis player. Losing him, in a certain way, is going to be difficult for us, so I will try to enjoy as much as I can when he's going to play," Alcaraz continued.

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"Your legacy is unrepeatable!" – Carlos Alcaraz's emotional message to Rafael Nadal after retirement news

Carlos Alcaraz (L) pictured with Rafael Nadal at the 2024 Paris Olympics - Image Source: Getty

Carlos Alcaraz had the privilege of sharing the court with Rafael Nadal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The pair, who reached the quarterfinals in men’s doubles, lit up Stade Roland Garros with their camaraderie and exceptional tennis skills.

Alcaraz also thrice faced the tennis legend in singles, losing the first two encounters. Revisiting his journey from watching Nadal compete on his television screen to playing alongside him, Carlos Alcaraz said (as translated from Spanish):

"From the child who watched you on television and dreamed of becoming a tennis player to the one who had the immense gift of playing alongside you at Roland Garros representing Spain in the Olympic Games!" he wrote on Instagram.

"Thank you very much for being an example at all levels, your legacy is unrepeatable! I have enjoyed you very much and I will miss you very much when you leave after the Davis Cup, Rafa!" the four-time Major winner continued.

It remains to be seen whether Rafael Nadal shares the court with Carlos Alcaraz for his swansong at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, just like the Olympics.