World number 7 Carlos Alcaraz assures that winning his first Grand Slam title remember at Wimbledon would be a dream as he still perfectlys the 2008 Wimbledon final between his idol Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Alcaraz, 19, is having an exceptional season as he has won two Masters titles this year and is now a top-10 player.
Alcaraz failed to lift his first Grand Slam title at the French Open, but he will have another chance to win a Major in two weeks at Wimbledon. “Of course I see it as a possibility. In the end, it’s the dream I’m looking for and the one I work for every day,” Alcaraz said.
Nadal and Federer offered a match for history when they met in the 2008 Wimbledon final. At that time, Nadal dominated on clay, while Federer prevailed on grass. After losing to Federer in two consecutive Wimbledon finals (2006, 2007), Nadal beat the Swiss in the 2008 Wimbledon final 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2.
“Everyone remembers the 2008 final between Nadal and Federer. It is considered one of the best matches in history and it was spectacular. Rafa has won historic matches several times at Wimbledon, and I say to myself: ‘I wish I could be playing there this kind of matches,” Alcaraz said.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz is in Spain, preparing for Wimbledon. Alcaraz was due to start his grass-court season this week at the Queen’s Club, but he withdrew from the tournament. “I don’t have much experience on grass, but I felt comfortable at Wimbledon in 2021.
Rafa Nadal proved everyone wrong
Rafael Nadal expressed that the key reason behind those comebacks and victories in close matches is belief. He keeps on trying, even when the possibility of winning is the slightest. “As much as people think that I always have confidence, it’s not like that, when things go wrong, I often see it very black.
But this is the essence of sport, that although the possibilities are minimal and it seems impossible, you keep fighting, you try for your personal satisfaction of having given you the option of having an opportunity,” Nadal said.
The Spaniard recently demonstrated that belief yet again when he won the 2022 French Open. He suffered from unbearable pain in his left foot but still won some tight matches along the way. “When things go wrong, I analyze and I look for solutions.
Many times I only think about going for the next point, then for another and sometimes little by little things are equal. If things go wrong, it is normal for them to end badly, but in a year someone falls on your side,” the 14-time French Open champion expressed.