Carlos Alcaraz’s team spotted getting emotional while watching Rafael Nadal announcement | Tennis | Sport

Carlos Alcaraz and his team were caught on camera reacting to the news of Rafael Nadal’s retirement.

The world No. 2 was preparing for his Shanghai Masters quarter-final when the 22-time Grand Slam champion dropped the news, announcing that he will end his career this year.

Alcaraz’s coaches and family were seen huddling around him as they watched Nadal’s emotional video statement.

The four-time Grand Slam champion was in the warm-up area when Nadal posted a video to his social media accounts, confirming his decision to call time on his playing career at the Davis Cup Finals in November.

Behind-the-scenes cameras showed Alcaraz standing with his brother and looking at his phone. The rest of the camp quickly joined them, with Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero among the group.

The Spaniard’s agent also gathered around, putting his glasses on to get a better look. The group put their arms around each other as they watched Nadal’s announcement.

Alcaraz took to the court around an hour later and went on to lose to Tomas Machac. Afterwards, he shared his reaction to the news of Nadal’s retirement.

“Well, it was, honestly, I couldn’t believe it when I watch it,” the 21-year-old said.

“You know, it doesn’t affect me at all before the match. I didn’t get distracted at all, I was just really focused on the match, I didn’t think about Rafa’s news.”

While Alcaraz didn’t let the emotions get to him on the court, he admitted it was difficult to process in the moment. The world No. 2 continued: “But obviously when I watch it, it was tough to accept it. I was in shock a little bit.

“Thanks that I saw it like one hour before the match, so I had time to accept it and forget it a little bit before the match.

“It is a really difficult thing, really difficult news for everybody, and even tougher for me. He has been my idol since I start playing tennis. I look up to him. Proudly, thanks to him, I really wanted to become professional tennis player. Losing him, in a certain way, is going to be difficult for us, so I will try to enjoy as much as I can when he’s going to play.”

Alcaraz will be by Nadal’s side for his retirement next month, as both men have been named in Spain’s Davis Cup squad. The pair are also both set to play the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia next week.

And Alcaraz wants to make the most of it while he can. “But we are going to play in Saudi Arabia, and then Davis Cup, so I’m going to try to enjoy as much as I can the time with him, but, yeah, it is a shame for tennis and for me,” he added.