By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, September 30, 2022
The Spanish Armada sails to the roof of the world.
Grand Slam King Rafael Nadal exceeded Casper Ruud and regain the place of n°2 in the ranking behind the world n°1 Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal is already World No. 2 in ATP Live Rankings.
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The rise of the 22-time Grand Slam champion makes Spain the ATP superpower with the top two spots in the rankings.
It is the first time in 22 years that compatriots occupy the first two places in the ATP rankings. The last time it happened, Americans Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi at the top of the ranking in 2000.
In a recent Instagram Live interview he did with his racquet sponsor, Babolat, Alcaraz said his goal is to achieve Big 3-level longevity at the top of the game.
“I want to be number 1 for a long time” Alcaraz said in his interview with Babolat. “I want to be like the Big 3 – I want to be there as much time as possible.”
Tony NadalRafa Nadal’s uncle and original coach, predicted last year that Alcaraz would one day succeed the Big 3 at the pinnacle of tennis.
Ahead of Rafael Nadal’s stunning win over Alcaraz at Indian Wells last March, he banged with the teenager and praised his potential as a future champion.
The master and the student 🇪🇸@Rafael Nadal x @alcarazcarlos03#Indian Property pic.twitter.com/BJx0s2VybW
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 9, 2022
Rafa Nadal says he’s also an Alcaraz fan.
“Well, he plays very aggressive. He has a lot of potential,” Nadal said of Alcaraz last spring. “He’s a young and good guy, so, I mean, he already has a good level of tennis today, but I really believe he will be a fantastic player in the near future, right?
“Yeah, I wish him all the best. I mean, as a Spanish player and as a Spanish fan, I really believe we need someone like him, and it’s great to have him here.”
photo credit: Getty