- Rafael Nadal admitted his fitness level was not on par with the tours top players after losing in straight sets to Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals of the Six Kings Slam event in Saudi Arabia.
- Nadal, who plans to retire after the Davis Cup Finals next month, praised Alcaraz as an animal and acknowledged he was not competing at the highest level.
- Alcaraz expressed mixed feelings about the match, noting the Saudi crowds support for Nadal and describing the experience as a little bit sad but recognising it as Nadals moment.
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Rafael Nadal admitted his fitness level was well off the tours top players after on Thursday falling in straight sets to fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who described the exhibition match as a little bit sad.
The 38-year-old Nadal, who announced last week he would retire from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month, lost 6-3, 6-3 to 21-year-old Alcaraz in the semi-finals of the Six Kings Slam event in Saudi Arabia.
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Afterwards he described Alcaraz, winner of the French Open and Wimbledon this year, as an animal and acknowledged he was not competing at the highest level.
I have not much pressure here. Im just trying to have fun, he told a post-match press conference.
