Sinner and Alcaraz will face off at 1 a.m. Monday, 8/9 Hanoi time.
In an interview with The Athletic on 6/9, Nadal called the Roland Garros final between Alcaraz and Sinner "super emotional" and among the best matches of all time. The Spanish superstar asserted that both younger players could improve and reach their peak in a few years.
"Sinner's forehand pace is incredibly difficult to keep up with," Nadal praised the Italian. "He's very quick to take the ball early and transition from defense to offense at lightning speed."
Regarding Alcaraz, Nadal assessed that his compatriot plays with more variety, versatility, and unpredictability than Sinner. "Alcaraz can showcase a brand of tennis that Sinner sometimes can't," the former world number one said. "But Alcaraz makes more mistakes than Sinner. Finding that balance is a challenge for Alcaraz."
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Alcaraz (right) and Sinner shake hands after their 2022 US Open quarterfinal match at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, where Alcaraz won in five sets. Photo: Reuters |
Alcaraz (right) and Sinner shake hands after their 2022 US Open quarterfinal match at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, where Alcaraz won in five sets. Photo: Reuters
Nadal expressed his enjoyment watching Alcaraz attempt difficult shots even when at a disadvantage. These shots surprise everyone but also carry significant risk. "I often laugh out loud when watching Alcaraz play. He has all the skills to play safe, but he dares to make mistakes. That's his nature. In my opinion, Alcaraz should improve his tactics a little. He doesn't need too many spectacular shots in one match."
This will be the third consecutive Grand Slam final this year between Alcaraz and Sinner, after both advanced past the US Open semifinals on the evening of 5/9. After 14 encounters, Alcaraz leads 9-5. Most of their matches are tense, close, and give the feeling that either player could win. At the Roland Garros final, Alcaraz saved three championship points before coming back to defeat his rival. But he then lost the Wimbledon final on grass, a surface previously considered Sinner's weakest.
"Their rivalry brings a lot of emotion," Nadal added. "As a fan, it's wonderful to watch them. I think Sinner made a slight mistake when facing three deciding points by stopping playing at the high speed he had maintained. But both are very young, and they will develop further after such big battles."
Alcaraz and Sinner have consistently faced each other in major finals during the first half of the season. Their meeting at the US Open final will determine the world number one ranking, a position Sinner has held for 65 consecutive weeks. "There's clearly a big gap between them and the rest," Nadal observed about the current state of tennis. "I still expect others to step up, because that's good for the sport."
Vy Anh
