Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal shouldn’t be compared with each other, according to one current tennis star.
Dasha Kasatkina has blasted those comparing Carlos Alcaraz to Rafael Nadal. (Image: TNNS)
He also went on to reach the final of the Olympics in Paris, just missing out on gold at his debut Games after losing to Novak Djokovic.
Understandably, given his explosive rise to prominence on the ATP Tour and their shared nationality and intensity on court, comparisons to an early Nadal have popped up.
However, WTA star Kasatkina has rubbished such claims, suggesting the pair are different in several ways.
On their similarities, Kasatkina told TNNS: “I’ve never really liked it when they put labels on young players. Labels from older players, it’s just wrong. We always had it like ‘the second Maria Sharapova’ or ‘the next Nadal’, also in football ‘the next Messi or Ronaldo’.
“It just feels so wrong. I mean why? Different people, different levels. First of all, time doesn’t stand still. Why would you compare new generations to the previous one?”
She added: “Everybody is unique and different, even on the court. Rafa and Alcaraz have a different vibe from each other. What they have in common is they’re both Spanish.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal partnered each other at the Olympics. (Image: Getty)
“Wow really? And their ‘vamos’ and being emotional too. But I think it has to do more with their personalities. Their styles of play are completely different.
“Alcaraz is a righty for one! And I really enjoy watching the way Alcaraz plays, he knows how to put on a show.”
When quizzed on the actual GOAT debate involving Nadal, Roger Federer and record Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic, Kasatkina claimed that the trio are ‘unreachable’.
She continued: “All three of them are unreachable. You know if someone has an idol, they’ll love him even if the results are not up to par.
“And it’s obvious in my case, because it started in my childhood, but objectively, looking at the results, Novak is the greatest. It’d be silly to argue about that. And the rest is a matter of taste.”
Djokovic, who despite winning Olympic gold, hasn’t had the best of years on-court by his own high standards, will be hoping to finish 2024 on a strong note.
Only a handful of events remain on the schedule, before the Serb and his counterparts head to Turin for the ATP Finals in November.
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