The battle between generational talents – Alcaraz at the beginning of his career, and Djokovic, the consummate professional with freshly stoked fire in his belly after being written off by some “experts” – has left Nadal divided.
Alcaraz is his compatriot, and Djokovic an opponent who also defined the ‘Big Three’ era, alongside Roger Federer.
“With Novak, we had an amazing story,” Nadal said. “All those years competing for the most important things.
“I think it’s a positive example of commitment, resilience and in some ways it’s a positive thing to have somebody like him, at his age, fighting with the players that are younger and they are at the prime.
“Novak, for obvious reasons, he’s not at his prime, but still very, very competitive at an age that is difficult to be very competitive now. So full respect, full credit to him.”