Rennae Stubbs pointed out the biggest difference between the games of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.
Spanish tennis is in good hands as Alcaraz took over from the 22-time Grand Slam champion as their country’s most successful active player.
The pair even contested three matches against each other before teaming with one another at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Though from different generations, Alcaraz and Nadal will always be linked in the tennis world and they are often compared, including their style of play for example.
Photo by Christina Pahnke – sampics/Getty ImagesRennae Stubbs says Carlos Alcaraz does something in matches she claims Rafael Nadal ‘never’ done
Carlos Alcaraz brings an intensity to the court that Rafael Nadal was known for throughout his illustrious career.
Both players have a style that couple force topspin with brutal power, and much like Nadal was for most of his career, Alcaraz is incredibly fast around the court.
But during the latest of her podcast, Rennae Stubbs has identified something which is different about Alcaraz and Nadal on court.
“They showed Nadal winning that tournament 12 times and I thought the difference between Carlos and Rafa – because everyone wants to compare these two Spanish greats – and Carlos is a great, because what he has achieved in his career so far is phenomenal,” Stubbs explained.
“But Rafa would never pick the shots that Carlos does. He had an opportunity to break back in the tiebreak and he came running in and he chose a shot, which I hate, coming in on the forehand. He hit an inside in forehand on a huge point and then ran in and got passed.
“Everyone is like what a shot from Rune but I was like it’s the easiest shot to get in tennis is a running forehand cross court.
“So those are mental decisions which someone like Rafa would not do, which is why Rafa could win the French Open 14 times. Because his discipline was through the roof.”
Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesCarlos Alcaraz discloses what Rafael Nadal said to him after Barcelona Open final
Alcaraz was beaten by Holger Rune in the final of the Barcelona Open.
The 21-year-old was battling an upper leg injury suffered in the second set, and he went on to suffer a 6-7, 2-6 defeat to Rune.
The Spaniard was disappointed to lose a final on home soil, but his spirits were lifted when Nadal sent Alcaraz a message of encouragement post-match.
“He wrote to me,” Alcaraz said. “To give me some encouragement, telling me he hopes that I’m not injured and that in a few days I can train again and give my all.
“We admire Rafa for what he’s done, particularly on this swing. But winning everything consecutively is kind of impossible.
“And once you’ve experienced it firsthand, you appreciate what Rafa did much more and how difficult it is to be 100 per cent physically and mentally week after week.”