Nadal on Alcaraz breaking his record: I don't mind, because my career is already over

In the 2010 US Open final, Nadal defeated Djokovic to complete his career Grand Slam at the age of 24. Now, 22-year-old Alcaraz has surpassed that record. Before the men's singles final began, Nadal spoke calmly and composedly about this younger player who might threaten his record, feeling satisfied and fulfilled, no longer bound by records, and openly welcoming those brave enough to follow or even surpass his greatness.

Before the men's singles final, Nadal gave an interview to Australia's 9News, speaking with calmness and reflective tone. During the interview, he was asked whether Alcaraz had a chance to break his record in last Sunday's Australian Open final.

When directly asked about his feelings, Nadal smiled and replied, "It's a good thing for me (laughs)." This reaction showed not pressure but inner peace. Then, Nadal candidly explained his mindset: "For me, my career is already over. I'm not the type to spend the rest of my life thinking 'Wow, someone is going to break my record,' and worrying about it." This statement reflects his complete emotional release.

He continued with humility and warmth: "I am very proud of what I have achieved, and if someone does better than me today, I wholeheartedly welcome it." Nadal clearly expressed that progress in sports should be celebrated, not feared or resisted.

Recognized as one of the greatest players in history, Nadal's career statistics remain astonishing: he has won 92 singles titles, including 22 Grand Slam trophies, and spent a total of 209 weeks ranked world number one. For most players, surpassing these accomplishments remains an unattainable goal. But Carlos Alcaraz stands at history's doorstep—just one victory away from lifting the Australian Open trophy and completing his career Grand Slam.

Alcaraz delivered a stunning performance in the semifinals, winning an epic five-set battle lasting 5 hours and 27 minutes against German player Zverev to secure his place in the final.

During the match, Alcaraz also overcame physical difficulties. He revealed after the match that he experienced cramping or groin discomfort midway through. Despite this, he persevered to the end with strong willpower, resilience, and fearless hitting.

As early as last year, Nadal highly praised Alcaraz's potential: "Carlos is extraordinary. How else can we see him? I usually don’t hold overly high expectations for anything, but I have always thought he is outstanding and has the potential to make history in this sport."

Regarding the topic of records being broken, Nadal also said: "22 Grand Slams? Why not? Even six is very impressive, and his upward trajectory is remarkable. The most important thing is to avoid injuries. When you can do that, you maintain confidence in your body and keep improving."

After Nadal shared his views, Alcaraz was also clear about the challenge ahead and spoke about the possibility of breaking Nadal's record in the Australian Open final.

After defeating Zverev, Alcaraz was interviewed on court by ESPN host Jim Courier. The semifinal battle stretched late into the night, pushing his physical limits. Courier posed a heavy question about the final and its historical significance: "You will try to become the youngest male player to complete the career Grand Slam in Sunday's final. What does that mean to you?"

Tired but smiling, Alcaraz responded quickly and wittily: "Well, thank you for putting so much pressure on me right now." This joke drew laughter from the crowd and eased the tension. Then, the six-time Grand Slam champion spoke sincerely, praising the fans and saying it was their energy that pushed him forward "in every point, every rally, every shot."

Regardless of the final outcome, one thing is very clear—Alcaraz and Djokovic have built mutual respect and a deeply genuine relationship through years of intense on-court battles.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)