Heads up for Tennis fans - Nadal v Alcaraz

[malaise]

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-nadal-indian-wells-2022-sf-preview

Spanish legend and master of the sport Rafael Nadal will face #NextGenATP apprentice and countryman Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals at the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday in a battle between two generational talents.

Since capturing his first tour-level title in Sopot in 2004, Nadal has enjoyed a remarkable career, capturing a further 90 tour-level trophies, including a record-breaking 21 Grand Slam crowns and 36 ATP Masters 1000s. The World No. 4 earned his 400th Masters 1000 win this week in Indian Wells.

However, the fourth seed’s biggest Indian Wells test lies ahead in the shape of 18-year-old Alcaraz. The teenage prodigy will enter the popcorn encounter against Nadal 12-1 on the season and is relishing the opportunity to face the man he calls his ‘idol’.

“It's amazing to play against Rafa,” Alcaraz said. “He has been my idol since I was a kid, so it's never easy to play against him, but I think it's going to be a great match. I think it's a great experience for me to play him in [a] Masters 1000 semi-final here in Indian Wells. I'm going to have fun out there and enjoy every single second in the match. It is a very special experience for me.”

American Taylor Fritz plays against Andrey Rublev in the first of the two semi-finals at 2.00pm.

[Karma13612]

1. Vamos Rafa!

Sorry Alcaraz fans. But, I’m a die-hard Nadal fan. Not ready to see the torch passed just yet.

LOL!!

Rafa! Rafa! Rafa!

[malaise]

3. Remember now Rafa has a bad foot

This could be interesting

[Karma13612]

15. Indeed!

Yes, I call myself a fan, but was NOT aware that he has a bad foot!

Oh no…..Well, he won Australia so I will take that win and keep my hopes up.

Now off to research this latest info! Thanks Malaise!

[malaise]

16. Word is that his opponent in the final tomorrow,Taylor Fritz, also has

an injury that he picked up during his semi-final match today.
Rafa is skipping the Miami hard court because of the foot problem.

[Karma13612]

19. Well, his medical team needs to monitor him

And make sure he doesn’t over-do it!

We know Rafa pushes himself well beyond what he should!!!

[Karma13612]

17. Ahhh, didn't know about the

Mueller-Weiss syndrome!!!!!

Darn.

My gosh, he had all that trouble with his knees, and this was in the background all this time. As a non-medical person, I wonder if he had knee problems BECAUSE of this rare condition he has had all his life. They say that some ailments can cause other problems. If you don’t walk correctly, then your knees can take the brunt of the irregular gait.

Oh dear. Well, we need to keep our thoughts positive. He is a fighter and a survivor!

Vamos Rafa!!!!!!

💙💛💙💛💙💛💙💛

[malaise]

18. I also had to look it up when my DU tennis friend sent me a link

I suspect that it may well end his career in the not too distant future

[Karma13612]

20. Oh heavens..

Too bad there isn’t a way to reconstruct the bone. Or maybe that is what the surgery was that they performed back last year??

Oh dear…..

[malaise]

5. Kick n/t

[spanone]

2. Thanks!!!

[malaise]

4. Anytime bro

[malaise]

22. OMG - spoiler

Amazing final for Taylor - he's crying. He's the first American to win Indian Wells since Agassi.

[spanone]

23. Amazing. Rafa gave it all he had. That match yesterday was brutal.

[malaise]

24. Had the same thought although both of them had injuries for the final

Glad for Taylor - Rafa has done it all already.

[spanone]

25. After seeing the video of Taylor at his warmup, I'm surprised he didn't suffer more

Glad for him too

[Raftergirl]

6. I'm pulling for Carlos because

JCF was on my list.

I’m sure I’ll end up disappointed.

[malaise]

7. Good coach

but remember the kid isn't 19 yet

[malaise]

9. The kid has guts

He will win slams

[Polybius]

10. Maria Sakkari is my favorite

Finals tomorrow.

[malaise]

11. She looks like a weightlifter these days

Last edited Sun Mar 20, 2022, 04:31 AM - Edit history (1)

She must have spent most of the pandemic time in the gym. Her game has improved but she has a tough opponent in Iga Świątek

[Polybius]

12. Yes she does, and I love it

[malaise]

13. I get nervous

and worry about steroids - hope my misgivings are incorrect - that is some stunning growth

[Polybius]

14. Possibly, but I'm sure she gets tested regularly

Not that there aren't masking agents around...

[a kennedy]

21. Curious......just wondering why this is in the General Discussion group???

Should be in the sports section....JMHO.