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Moments Before Unexpected Wimbledon Triumph, 20-Year-Old Carlos Alcaraz Narrates How Idol Rafael Nadal’s Gesture Made Him Feel Extra Special

Published 07/18/2023, 1:16 PM EDT

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In a Wimbledon final that will be etched in the Tennis history books, young Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz stunned the world by defeating the formidable Novak Djokovic, securing his place as the first man to conquer the Serbian star on Centre Court since the legendary Andy Murray in 2013.

Alcaraz’s brilliant win was more than a display of talent and skill; it had been driven by an unexpected source of inspiration, none other than his beloved tennis idol from Spain, Rafael Nadal.

The driving force behind Alcaraz’s Wimbledon triumph

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In a post-match interview, a beaming Alcaraz revealed how Nadal’s words acted as a driving force, propelling him to win over the Serb who has won at Wimbledon 7 times, one shy of Roger Federer and equaling Pete Sampras. Alcaraz mentioned the name of the Spanish Powerhouse when he was asked what message he was most excited about, and he said that it was Rafa’s message as he was his idol.

Alcaraz shared his gratitude, saying, “Yes, yes, he sent me a message. First, he sent it to wish me luck for the final and I appreciate it. That someone like him, an idol of my childhood and who continues to be so, sends you strength and luck for the most important moment of your life is something to admire,” as reported by Express News. As Alcaraz lifted his first Wimbledon trophy, his Idol also shared his hearty congratulations to Alcaraz on Social Media.

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The tennis world was delighted to witness Nadal’s heartfelt reaction to Alcaraz’s victory. On social media, the Spanish legend posted about Alcaraz’s victory, calling him a champion.

Tennis legends and celebrities rally behind Alcaraz’s victory

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Alcaraz was overwhelmed not only by Nadal’s support but also by a flood of messages from other sports icons and celebrities. Among them was the renowned Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso, Academy award winner Will Smith, NBA player Jimmy Butler, and Colombian singer Sebastian Yatra, who even dedicated a song to the Wimbledon Champ.

 

In the world of sports, the passing of the baton from an idol to a mentor is a truly remarkable journey. Nadal’s role in nurturing and inspiring the young Alcaraz exemplifies the essence of the sportsmanship and camaraderie that tennis embodies.

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Carlos Alcaraz’s meteoric rise and triumph at Wimbledon serve as a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes worldwide. With dedication, talent, and the support of tennis legends like Rafael Nadal, the future of tennis looks brighter than ever.

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Written by:

Ansh Tandon

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Ansh Tandon is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. Ansh received his undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has been working in content creation for 2+ years. Before Ansh stepped into sports journalism, he was a professional tennis player, honing his skills in national level tournaments for the past 12 years as an active AITA athlete.
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Edited by:

Bhavani Singh