Carlos Alcaraz, the rising star of Spanish tennis, expressed his support and well wishes to his compatriot Rafael Nadal, who recently suffered an injury setback. As Alcaraz arrived in Melbourne to prepare for the upcoming Australian Open, he sent a heartfelt message to Nadal through Instagram.
"We are waiting for you at the next Rafa tournament! Get well soon!" Alcaraz wrote, displaying his admiration and eagerness to compete against the legendary player once again.
Currently ranked number two in the world, Alcaraz will be participating in the Australian Open for the third time in his career. Although he hasn't advanced beyond the round of 32, he achieved a notable feat by reaching the third round in 2022, where he was eliminated by Italian player Matteo Berrettini.
The Australian Open organization also expressed their disappointment at Nadal's absence, sending him their best wishes for a swift recovery. They conveyed their sentiments through their social media platforms, stating, "We will miss you in Melbourne, Rafa. We send you all our love and our best wishes for a speedy recovery. See you soon on the court."
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios also shared his sympathy for Nadal, relating to the fear of returning to the game prematurely after grappling with his own injury challenges. "I'm sorry for what Rafa is going through. Get well soon, that was the fear for me too, coming back too soon..." Kyrgios remarked, demonstrating the compassionate camaraderie among tennis players.
Nadal had recently made his comeback in the Brisbane tournament after nearly a year away from the sport due to an iliopsoas injury in his left leg. Unfortunately, during his match against Thompson, the Spaniard experienced discomfort in the affected area. Despite his loss in a hard-fought three-set match lasting over three hours, Nadal's determination remains unscathed as he focuses on his recovery journey.
As the tennis world eagerly awaits Nadal's return, Alcaraz and other players express their unwavering support and anticipation for future encounters with the legendary champion.