Carlos Alcaraz vs Rafael Nadal after playing their first slam at age 21

[Hitman]

Alcaraz

1 x RG
1 x W
1 x USO
36 weeks at world number one
1 x year ending number one
Youngest ever world number one
Youngest ever year ending number one
Youngest ever to win a slam on all three surfaces
2 x IW
1 x Miami
2 x Madrid
Total = 8 big titles



Nadal

3 x RG
3 x MC
3 x Rome
1 x IW
1 x Canada
1 x Madrid

Total = 12 big titles

Nadal still showed the higher level of the two, on clay, and highest overall, but Alcaraz has shown the higher level on grass and hard. For me, Alcaraz is now ahead, having conquered all the three surfaces. The two best of this century at this age.

 

[dking68]

Nadal was better IMO. More slam finals and tougher competition. Think 2006 Nadal defeats 2023 Alcaraz at Wimbledon.

On hard court I give the edge to Alcaraz. But in best of three hard court it’s 50/50

 

[MichaelNadal]

I knew this was coming lol

 

[dking68]

Alcaraz

1 x RG
1 x W
1 x USO
36 weeks at world number
1 x year ending number one
Youngest ever world number one
Youngest ever year ending number one
Youngest ever to win a slam on all three surfaces
2 x IW
1 x Miami
2 x Madrid
Total = 8 big titles



Nadal

3 x RG
3 x MC
3 x Rome
1 x IW
1 x Canada
1 x Madrid

Total = 12 big titles

Nadal still showed the higher level of the two, on clay, and highest overall, but Alcaraz has shown the higher level on grass and hard. For me, Alcaraz is now ahead, having conquered all the three surfaces. The two best of this century at this age.

Disagree. 2006 Nadal defeats 2023 Alcaraz at wimbledon

 

[messiahrobins]

I knew this was coming lol

Current GOAT v Future GOAT perhaps, feels that way to me. I am glad context now is important for many

 

[Alcaraz takeover]

Nadal also didnt have to deal with a global pandemic that slowed his initial transition from challengers to main tour.

Alcaraz is the more complete player and has way more tools in his tool box. These are facts not just opinion

 

[UnforcedTerror]

One was a great moonballer aka a dirt specialist, the other is a great tennis player. Simple.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nadal also didnt have to deal with a global pandemic that slowed his initial transition from challengers to main tour.

Alcaraz is the more complete player and has way more tools in his tool box. These are facts not just opinion

I love when the duplicate support accounts log in

 

[ND-13]

Alcaraz is more complete without a doubt as of age 21

 

[Alcaraz takeover]

I love when the duplicate support accounts log in

Huh? I think im fairly well known around these parts. I just don't post often.

Anyway, nice strawman you've got going there

 

[tennisjedi]

I love both but Nadal is still more epic.

 

[xFedal]

is he gna win 25 slams and 450 weeks at no.1? this is the question?

 

[nolefam_2024]

OP I chose Nadal.

Its an open question and others can choose Alcaraz as well.

 

[Hitman]

I think this is where now Alcaraz will start to pull away from Nadal as early age phenoms. Raz is one AO away from completing the career grand slam, and it could all be done while he is still 21!!! LOL

 

[Krish872007]

I'll pick Nadal on clay and grass, Alcaraz on hard court as it stands now. The comparison has now become Alcaraz 2024 vs Nadal 2007. Not surprised by the surface diversity now, he's a great player that should have continued success on all surfaces - but Nadal had a lot of challenges to overcome in his early 20s

Need to see what Carlos does at Wimbledon this year because Nadal played an incredible final in 2007, and a decent one in 2006

 

[darthrafa]

Alcaraz

1 x RG
1 x W
1 x USO
36 weeks at world number
1 x year ending number one
Youngest ever world number one
Youngest ever year ending number one
Youngest ever to win a slam on all three surfaces
2 x IW
1 x Miami
2 x Madrid
Total = 8 big titles



Nadal

3 x RG
3 x MC
3 x Rome
1 x IW
1 x Canada
1 x Madrid

Total = 12 big titles

Nadal still showed the higher level of the two, on clay, and highest overall, but Alcaraz has shown the higher level on grass and hard. For me, Alcaraz is now ahead, having conquered all the three surfaces. The two best of this century at this age.

they cant choose when to be borne and who they played against
if they swoped birthyear, who knows maybe rafa can even achieve more?

 

[tennis_pro]

Disagree. 2006 Nadal defeats 2023 Alcaraz at wimbledon

I doubt that. 2007 definitely, but well see what Alcaraz shows this year.

 

[dking68]

I doubt that.

How many sets would 2023 Alcaraz take from a beast mode level 2006 Roger Federer?

 

[Third Serve]

Honestly still taking young Nadal on grass.

Nobody except peak Pete and 84 Mac could have taken down 2006 Fed at Wimbledon imo, and for what it’s worth Nadal put up a very respectable effort after a garbage first set. It’s a different story from Alcaraz winning in a nervy five-setter over a mediocre Djokovic who was possibly even worse than he was in the 2013 s***show against Murray or the extremely mid 2019 final performance.

A lot of Alcaraz’s wins have been very nervy. Lots of five-setters with multiple moments of vulnerability that just never showed with Nadal even when he was taking down prime Fed for his RG wins. To his credit, Carlos is very clutch once the matches do go the distance, but Nadal wouldn’t be letting that many matches go five in the first place.

Alcaraz is a very very good player for his age and probably right in the top 3 all time, but Nadal was markedly better, except on hard courts. Peak Federer alone is probably two whole tiers better than any single player in the entire top 10—current Djokovic included—and Nadal had his number on clay and gave him a respectable fight on grass. Just two different situations that best illustrate how these sorts of numbers never occur in a vacuum; they’re highly contextual.

 

[duaneeo]

Imagine the big titles 21 year old Nadal would have today.

Likewise, imagine the big titles 21 year old Alcaraz would have after 2007 RG.

 

[Nappa]

Put Sinneraz in 2006-2013 competition and watch them being destroyed.

 

[Tano]

One was a great moonballer aka a dirt specialist, the other is a great tennis player. Simple.

I don't think you know what a moonball is and 8 GS titles off his main surface you disparagingly call it a clay specialist.
You seem to show quite a bit of antipathy towards him.

 

[FeroBango]

Disregard the Sintrolls masquerading as Rafa fans here.

 

[Third Serve]

I don't think you know what a moonball is and 8 GS titles off his main surface you disparagingly call it a clay specialist.
You seem to show quite a bit of antipathy towards him.

It’s a gloating Djokovic fan, don’t feed the trolls.

 

[dking68]

Put Sinneraz in 2006-2013 competition and watch them being destroyed.

I think Sinner would win a slam in 2012/13

 

[tennis_pro]

How many sets would 2023 Alcaraz take from a beast mode level 2006 Roger Federer?

Probably 1 too and barely too.

But because he played at a higher level, Nadal did it on match-up.

 

[tennis_pro]

I think Sinner would win a slam in 2012/13

Against who and where.

 

[dking68]

Against who and where.

Think he would win 2013 Wimbledon

 

[tennis_pro]

Think he would win 2013 Wimbledon

Against Djokovic and Murray?

 

[Hitman]

OP I chose Nadal.

Its an open question and others can choose Alcaraz as well.

You can pick who you wish.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Probably 1 too and barely too.

But because he played at a higher level, Nadal did it on match-up.

Lol

 

[dking68]

Against Djokovic and Murray?

Yeah. I think he defeats both. Especially Murray with his weak second serve. I predict he wins Wimbledon next month

2013 AO would be a war zone between peak Sinner and Djokovic. Would be 50/50

 

[nolefam_2024]

You can pick who you wish.

I pick Nadal

Nadal faced Federer in 2 Wimby finals already. And beaten Federer in 3 RG matches.
Alcaraz is good. He will have good career.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Alcaraz achievements are impressive. I’m more impressed with Youngdal level though. As for me, today underlined how weak this current era is. Weaker than the 2000’s day too by some stretch.

 

[Third Serve]

Probably 1 too and barely too.

But because he played at a higher level, Nadal did it on match-up.

Ned hit 20 winners to 4 UFEs in the set he won. Probably one of the best sets anyone not named Fed has played on grass in the last 20 years. I don’t think Alcaraz has played that good a set in the late stages of any Slam, not just Wimbledon.

 

[dking68]

Alcaraz achievements are impressive. I’m more impressed with Youngdal level though. As for me, today underlined how weak this current era is. Weaker than the 2000’s day too by some stretch.

Youngdal was so much better. He would win this RG without dropping a set I think

 

[Tano]

Nadal in 2007 at Wimbledon lost against the final version of peak Federer at Wimbledon and against a great version of Ferrer at the US Open.
It will be very difficult for Alcaraz to replicate that level of his compatriot on grass, but on a hard court it will be much easier to overcome.

 

[Mustard]

Nadal had peak Federer around. Peak Federer didn't lose many matches, especially against players not named Nadal (or Canas).

Nadal still won his third major at a younger age than Alcaraz, after just passing his 21st birthday.

 

[UnforcedTerror]

I don't think you know what a moonball is and 8 GS titles off his main surface you disparagingly call it a clay specialist.

The topic is about them as 21 yo players. Bull improved over the years on other surfaces, Karl was born as a complete package.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Nadal had peak Federer around, who didn't lose many matches, especially against players not named Nadal (or Canas).

Agreed. I thought the quality was low today. Alcaraz came good in end but he was sup par for a lot of the match.

If YoungDal had this field he’d bag RG and Wimbledon and maybe another HC slam too in same year.

 

[dking68]

Agreed. I thought the quality was low today. Alcaraz came good in end but he was sup par for a lot of the match.

If YoungDal had this field he’d bag RG and Wimbledon and maybe another HC slam too in same year.

I wasn’t impressed with his RG performance. Do think that healthy Sinner would’ve won their SF in four but I hope his hip gets better. Still don’t think he defends Wimbledon. I have either Sinner or Hurkacz winning a month from now.

 

[StrongRule]

Why can't we see a comparison with Djokovic for once? But no, in these comparisons Djokovic fans believe that suddenly context matters. Lol.

 

[tennis_pro]

Lol

Kendrick

 

[InsideOut900]

Yeah. I think he defeats both. Especially Murray with his weak second serve. I predict he wins Wimbledon next month

2013 AO would be a war zone between peak Sinner and Djokovic. Would be 50/50

Hope it's a troll post for sanity sake.

Sinner lost to 2022/2023 Novak fairly easily and struggled like hell against Medvedev.

2013 AO Djokovic was like his 3rd best version there.

 

[dking68]

Hope it's a troll post for sanity sake.

Sinner lost to 2022/2023 Novak fairly easily and struggled like hell against Medvedev.

2013 AO Djokovic was like his 3rd best version there.

Let’s see who wins Wimbledon next month

 

[Mustard]

Why can't we see a comparison with Djokovic for once? But no, in these comparisons Djokovic fans believe that suddenly context matters. Lol.

Djokovic at Alcaraz's age got mauled by Safin at 2008 Wimbledon. Djokovic at that point had won the 2008 Australian Open, had won several masters like 2007 Key Biscayne, 2007 Canadian Open, 2008 Indian Wells, and was usually very consistent in the majors before running into guys like Nadal and Federer.

 

[InsideOut900]

Let’s see who wins Wimbledon next month

Who wins next Wimbledon is irrelevant for a direct comparison to the 2013 field.

 

[Incognito]

I wonder How many sets chainz would win against a 21-year old Nadal in a FO final?

@RS

 

[dking68]

I wonder How many sets chainz would win against a 21-year old Nadal in a FO final?

@RS

0 no?

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I wonder How many sets chainz would win against a 21-year old Nadal in a FO final?

@RS

You mean how many games?