Rafael Nadal has shown a touch of class with his message to Spanish compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, insisting that he should be proud of his silver medal. The 21-year-old was reduced to tears following defeat in the men’s singles final to Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz was yet to lose a major final in his young career but despite taking Djokovic to two tiebreaks at Roland Garros, he came undone in both and his disappointment was visible for all to see in Paris.
The reigning Wimbledon and French Open champion cried on the sidelines while Djokovic celebrated with his team, then had to stop his on-court interview with Alex Corretja when overcome with emotions.
Though a disappointed Alcaraz will be warmed by the message Nadal sent to him minutes after the gold medal match, calling on his protege to keep his head held high despite the heartbreak he suffered in Paris.
Carlos, although I know that today is a difficult day, value a medal that is very important for the whole country; in time you will see that for you too,” Nadal wrote on his Instagram story. “Thank you for this amazing week and for a medal that you give to Spanish sport.
That came after Alcaraz admitted that he felt that he had let his country down by not completing what would have been the perfect summer, adding an Olympic gold to his Wimbledon and French Open victories.
“I thought that I let all the Spanish people down a little bit, in some way,” the world No. 3 revealed when asked why he burst into tears after defeat. “I know that most of the Spanish people were waiting for my gold medal. And myself as well, I worked for it, I went for it [and] it couldn’t happen so that’s why I got emotional at the end because I couldn’t make all the Spanish people proud.
Though Alcaraz had already begun to process the result and added: “But thinking about that moment, it was really close at the end of the match. I couldn’t think [about] the things clearly and that’s why I got emotional at the end. But I’m right now thinking, I’m going to say more relaxed. I think I made them proud, I made them believe in a certain way. And I’m proud about the way I represented my flag.
Nadal also sent a congratulatory message to Djokovic after seeing his long-time rival achieve everything possible in tennis, adding an Olympic gold medal to his 24 Grand Slam victories.
He wrote: “Congrats Novak on achieving the Golden Slam and being able to achieve what you wanted. Well done.
