Rafael Nadal is not my enemy, says world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz amid their battle for top spot

World number 1 Carlos Alcaraz has said fellow Spanish tennis player and 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal is not his enemy amid their ongoing battle for the top spot. Alcaraz became the youngest player to top the world rankings earlier this year when he took the top spot at the age of 19.

Alcaraz says Rafael Nadal is not his enemy (AP)

By India Today Web Desk: World number 1 Carlos Alcaraz has said fellow Spanish tennis player and 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal is not his enemy amid their ongoing battle for the top spot. Alcaraz became the youngest player to top the world rankings earlier this year when he took the top spot at the age of 19.

Speaking to Eurosport, Alcaraz said he does not consider Rafael Nadal as his enemy, and that there is no competition between the two outside the court.

“Rafa is not my enemy. I say hello, I don’t see that competition. With the rest of the players, it’s the same. Beyond that relationship I’ll try to keep being No. 1,” said Alcaraz.

The 19-year-old went on to say that outside the court, he is colleagues with Nadal despite both of them fighting for the top seed spot.

“I don’t see it that way. It’s true, Rafa is fighting for the No. 1. Some players have the same goal – to be number 1, so I need to do my best. Outside the court we [Rafa and I] are colleagues, at least it’s the way I see it,” Alcaraz added.

Alcaraz said becoming world number 1 was a dream come true for him. He continued to say that he is still enjoying the moment he lifted the US Open trophy.

“It is an incredible feeling, waking up as No. 1, the US Open winner. It’s a dream come true. I am enjoying this moment so far. I keep working, my life is still the same, I’m still the same kid, same player. Just keep practising, keep improving,” said Alcaraz.

Alcaraz suffered an injury scare in the build-up to the Paris Masters and was in doubt for the tournament. However, the teenager was given the green light to face Yoshihito Nishioka after receiving a bye in the second round.