I was terrified and I got a real beating," Alcaraz reflects on his very first match against Nadal

In 2021, during the second round of the Madrid Masters 1000, young Carlos Alcaraz, touted as one of Spanish tennis's future stars, stepped onto the court to face the king of clay, Rafael Nadal.

Far from the player he is today, Alcaraz—who was also celebrating his 18th birthday that day—was soundly defeated by Nadal with a score of 6-1, 6-2. A first encounter against a legend of the game, which Alcaraz revisited during a fan event organized by the brand El Pozo:

"I was terrified. I was completely in awe. It was a special day, my 18th birthday. I think that’s maybe why I felt that way. Turning 18, becoming an adult, playing Rafa in Madrid… It was a mix of all those things. But it was incredible. It was more than just a match. I got a real beating, but I enjoyed it. It was a unique moment.