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Match Details
Fixture: Rafael Nadal vs Carlos Alcaraz
Date: October 17, 2024
Tournament: Six Kings Slam 2024
Round: Semifinal
Venue: The Venue, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Category: Exhibition
Surface: Hard
Prize Money: $6,000,000
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel, T2 | UK - Sky Sports | Global - DAZN
Rafael Nadal vs Carlos Alcaraz preview
Compatriots Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz will lock horns in the semifinals of the Six Kings Slam on Thursday (October 17).
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Nadal returned after a nearly year-long hiatus in Brisbane at the start of the season. He picked up another injury during his quarterfinal loss to Jordan Thompson and didn't resume playing until the start of the clay swing.
A fourth-round finish at the Madrid Open was Nadal's best result in the lead-up to the French Open. He crashed out of the claycourt Major in the opening round, his earliest exit from the tournament he had won 14 times. The Spaniard then skipped Wimbledon and reached the final of the Swedish Open after that.
Nadal's singles campaign at the Paris Olympics came to an end in the second round with a loss to Novak Djokovic. He made the quarterfinals in doubles alongside Alcaraz. He didn't compete anywhere after the conclusion of the Olympics and recently announced his retirement at the end of the season.
Alcaraz advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the first time this year and later defended his Indian Wells title. Even though he struggled with an injury during the clay swing, he emerged victorious at the French Open.
The young Spaniard also defended his Wimbledon crown and won the silver medal at the Olympics. He had a forgettable outing in North America and lost in the second round of the Cincinnati Open and the US Open.
Alcaraz bounced back immediately and went on a 12-match winning streak, which included a title at the China Open. His unbeaten run came to an end in the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters with a defeat to Tomas Machac. He beat Holger Rune 6-4, 6-2 in the previous round of the Six Kings Slam.
Rafael Nadal vs Carlos Alcaraz head-to-head
Nadal leads Alcaraz 2-1 in the head-to-head. The latter won their most recent encounter at the Madrid Open 2022 in three sets.
Rafael Nadal vs Carlos Alcaraz odds
(Odds are sourced from OddsPortal)
Rafael Nadal vs Carlos Alcaraz prediction
The Six Kings Slam will be Nadal's penultimate tournament before he retires from the court at next month's Davis Cup Finals. He has a 12-7 record this year, though only two of those wins have come on hard courts.
Alcaraz, on the other hand, has a 51-10 record this year, including four titles, of which two have come on hard courts. He also has a 26-5 record on the surface and didn't break a sweat against Rune in his opener here as well.
While Nadal leads their rivalry, Alcaraz won their previous match in Madrid two years ago. However, their most recent encounter was also at another exhibition event this year, the Netflix Slam, which went the latter's way. Given their results, the 21-year-old has the clear advantage this time as well.
Pick: Carlos Alcaraz to win in straight sets.
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here
