Six Kings Slam, Rafael Nadal set to take on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

Six Kings Slam, Rafael Nadal set to take on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz

For Rafa Nadal, the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, will be an opportunity to return to the courts just days after announcing his retirement and a month before the start of the Davis Cup Finals, an event referred to by the Majorcan himself as the curtain of his career. Peers and newcomers, predictions and expectations, Nadal talked about it on the eve of the tournament.

The first words were dedicated to Novak Djokovic, who he last faced at the Paris Games and who shares with the Spaniard the last draw of his career: "We have played many times and they have always been great challenges – the words of the Majorcan – he è a great rival. He pushed me to the highest levels, to the limit, and I think it’s a mutual feeling: we really pushed each other to a very high level. With such a strong opponent we both had to improve to continue to compete at the level required to be successful".

The focus then shifts to the new generation of champions, starting with the world No. 1, Jannik Sinner, and current No. 2 ranked Carlos Alcaraz: "They are strong, young and are playing very well,‖ emphasizes Nadal .-They are winning Slams and Masters. Carlos and Jannik, especially the two of them are building incredible numbers, I wish them the best to keep going, they will be the stars of the future if they can stay intact and have an extraordinary career".

And Nadal with what expectations is he living these eve hours? " I will do my best but the challenge è great becauseé there will be great players and the matches will be really competitive,” he concludes. “I don&’t have very high expectations but I will be happy to be on the court and challenge these players once again. It will be&eagrave; a great show becauseé when players like this come together the audience will surely have something to enjoy".