French Open favorite Carlos Alcaraz hopes Rafael Nadal can return from injury for one last shot at Roland Garros next year.
The 14-time winner was forced to miss this year’s event for the first time since 2004 with a hip injury and looks likely to be out for the rest of the season, but the 36-year-old years has set its sights on a final. competitive year if his body allows it.
And Alcaraz, the tournament’s No. 1 seed, said: “I felt bad when I heard that Rafa, he couldn’t play here at Roland Garros and probably the rest of the year. I still want to see Rafa play. I hope we see him next year that he is 100 per cent.”
The 20-year-old has enjoyed good training on clay in Paris, winning titles in Barcelona and Madrid, but faces a potential semi-final match against Novak Djokovic as the Serb attempts an all-time record 23rd Grand Slam title.
Alcaraz reached the French Open quarter-finals last year before losing in four sets to Alexander Zverev.
When asked if he was a better player 12 months later, the Spaniard replied: “Speaking of tennis, I would say that I am the same player as last year. The only change I would say , is that I am more mature.
“And mentally I’m better and I can read what’s happening on the pitch better than last year. For me, that’s really, really important and I would say that’s the most different from last year. .
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