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The Spaniard, highlighted as a unique talent but Rafael Nadal Was Ignored and not recognized
The Spaniard was highlighted as a unique talent but Rafael Nadal Was Ignored and not recognized
Íñigo Gurruchaga, a veteran Basque journalist who has covered wars and conflicts of all kinds, and who made London his other home more than 30 years ago, is curious. He looks up and on the plinth of the Wimbledon conference room, conversing, he sees the boy and the man, the young man, and the veteran. A two in one, all at once. First of all, because as much as his reality has forced him to develop faster than normal, Carlos Alcaraz is betrayed by the frequent youthful sparks that he gives off, as well as the laughter and the jargon (“uncle”, “uncle”, “uncle ”, he frequently addresses his coach) that he usually uses in his circle of trust; the second, because he, who has seen Rafael Nadal grow and take shape in the successive passages of the Mallorcan through London, He is struck by the control of the scene shown by the Murcian, dressed in a striking fisherman’s hat that makes the reporter’s question inevitable.
– I am curious about the virtues of the hat you have chosen. Is it going to be your brand throughout the tournament or is it just a personal outburst?
– Well, I don’t know… I should! [laughs] No, I look good, so maybe it will serve as a charm. If I do well at the beginning of the week, maybe I take it every day. It’s cool…
Gurruchaga, as indicated, saw over the last two decades the blossoming of the Nadal phenomenon, from the whirlwind of the bandana, capri pants, and tank top to the big man he is today. And he points out a particularity between the Balearic Islands and Alcaraz: “They are an animal force.” At the same time that he qualifies: “But the latter is more sophisticated.” During the conversation, he underlines his “security”, despite being 20 years old, and above all his “personality” draws his attention to overcome such a complicated circumstance, the fact of being only 20 years old and at the same time the obligation to handle everything that comes with being an exception; for many specialists, it is unusual.
Experts, coaches, players, and relatives who have closely followed Alcaraz’s footsteps point out a coincidence: he has always been ahead of his age. Somehow, with it disappear the logical phases of growth. He was impressive as a child, as a juvenile and now in this hatching process still incomplete.
“It’s something we haven’t seen until now: a kind of sick combination of Roger, Djokovic, and Nadal,” says Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, who accompanied the Swiss genius on his final stretch on the circuit. “He can hurt in many ways,” said recently Paul Annacone, Federer’s tutor in his intermediate stage. “I think the grass is a very interesting surface because a lot of times I watch someone play and I think, ‘This guy can play well here, but for whatever reason, he doesn’t like it.’ And then there is Alcaraz, who thinks that his game may not adapt to grass, but in the end, he does it so well… He says that it is his favorite surface. That’s where it’s amazing. Maybe he can win five titles at Wimbledon, but you never know.” And the irate Nick Kyrgios abounds: “Seeing what he has been able to do in such a short time is crazy. He is very disciplined and loves sports. He has a showman inside, and I like that.”
Head, technique, determination
Consulted by this newspaper, Manuel Orantes from Granada points out that the current number one “has absolutely everything” and that “technically he is incredible”, in addition to the fact that “he has a good head”. The 1975 US Open and Masters Cup champion considers that “neither Federer nor Nadal nor Djokovic had that much power at the same age” and predicts “a truly impressive career”.
Having reached his twenties, Nadal already had two grades, while the other two giants had not yet raised any. Alcaraz has one, achieved last year in New York, but beyond his achievements, he generates a unanimity never seen before due to his maturity on and off the track. To his work ethic and his determination, unusual among youngsters progressing in the men’s circuit today, he adds a technical, tactical, and mental residue that is beyond the ordinary. Today the exceptionality is accentuated in this tour on the green, complicated, and uncontrollable territory where there are. “I feel as if I had played ten years on this surface,” transmits the man from El Palmar, the first tennis player other than Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic to go to Wimbledon as the first seed in 20 years.“I am a boy who learns quickly,” he adds.
Unlike other players who aimed high and have gradually faded away or others who have taken refuge in excuses to justify stagnation, Alcaraz flees from subterfuge and self-criticism tends to appear in his speech. Although he is just starting, he plays professionally as a long-time tennis player.
“For me, as a tennis fan, buying any player with the magnificent three, no matter how much potential they may have, is very difficult. I am Federer’s age, and I have played against Rafa and Novak, and sometimes I think: But winning a Grand Slam is already milk! Sampras had won 14, and that was already absolutely incredible, and there was also Borg. Before Becker, Edberg, or McEnroe were already gods, and we see what those three have done and it is very difficult to understand. There are still times when I sit down, think about it and discuss it with colleagues and say to myself: ‘This is not possible’. It’s not real! It’s like when you see Kipchogue run a marathon and he does an incredible mark. But if he runs for 42 kilometers at the same speed that I sprint ! for 100 meters! That is inhuman. That is why I think that the comparison is not fair”, introduces the 41-year-old from Toledo. “But I also think that after those three guys, I haven’t seen anything similar to Carlitos, and look, I’ve seen tennis… It’s something very different from all the great talents that have emerged, apart from these three. It’s the best I’ve ever seen. He is very clear that he wants to follow his path and he is a true animal ”, concludes Feliciano, while tennis is still absorbed: Alcaraz, 20 years old. For many, never seen.
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Lewis Hamilton has given Toto Wolff some advice and revealed his ideal choice of successor
Lewis Hamilton has told Toto Wolff to gamble on youth and pick 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli to replace him at Mercedes next year. The seven-time world champion is leaving for Ferrari at the end of the season and has left his Silver Arrows team principal with the daunting task of recruiting another driver for the 2025 campaign.
But teen Antonelli has been impressing in Mercedes’ academy ranks and has been tipped for a bright future, currently undergoing his debut Formula Two season in preparation for another promotion – potentially straight into the Mercedes hotseat.
At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Hamilton was asked about the prospect of Ferrari driver Sainz going in the opposite direction and taking his seat at Mercedes, but instead he wanted to put forward another option.
“Carlos is a great driver so wherever he goes he would be a positive for any team,” said Hamilton. “I have no idea what Toto’s plans are, but for me, if it was my job and my role, I would take on a youngster, and I would take on Kimi.”
Antonelli has been fast-tracked to his current F2 position and retains the support of Wolff, who put him in a Formula One car for the first time at the Red Bull Ring in Austria last month. He tested the Mercedes W12 in a planned event, with more dates added for the wonderkid later this year.
At Suzuka, Wolff explained that he was prepared to bide his time before naming a successor to Hamilton, perhaps hinting that Antonelli was being given the option to prove himself in further testing.
“We haven’t taken the decision yet and it’s not something that we plan to do in the next few weeks,” Wolff shared. “The driver market is very dynamic, some of the really good guys are about to sign for some of the other teams.
“We want to continue to have these discussions and keep the options open, but it’s much too early for us to commit to a driver, whether very young or very experienced.”
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“One Of Only A Few To See The Darkest Moment Of Dale Earnhardt” as exposed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Stirred Reaction
“One Of Only A Few To See The Darkest Moment Of Dale Earnhardt” as exposed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Stirred Reaction
If you’re a NASCAR fan, you can probably still remember everything about the day that Dale Earnhardt died on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
I know I can: I was 12 years old, and I still remember thinking “Oh, he’s going to be fine, I’ve seen wrecks that look a lot worse.”
It’s the same thing that a lot of NASCAR fans were thinking. He was the Intimidator. The toughest guy in NASCAR. There’s no way anything could happen to him.
And then I remember my shock when I heard those infamous words from NASCAR President Mike Helton a couple hours later:
“After the accident in turn four at the Daytona 500, we’ve lost Dale Earnhardt.”
But there’s nobody else in the world who has the memories of that day that Ken Schrader does.
Kenny was involved in the wreck that took Dale’s life, plowing into the side of Earnhardt’s car as it went sliding up in front of him after Earnhardt received a bump from Sterling Marlin.
And he was the first person to run to Dale’s car after the crash.
You’ve probably seen the video of Ken looking into the car, and then frantically waving to the medical crew. He knew it was bad as soon as he looked inside.
Exactly what did he see, though? We’ll never know – because Ken has refused to talk about it, even after 19 years.
Kenny has explained on many occasions that he’ll never talk about what he saw that day, unless Dale Earnhardt Jr. or his sister, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, ask him about it.
And on an episode of his Dale Jr. Download podcast, Junior got the chance to tell Kenny just how much that means to him.
Choking back tears, Earnhardt Jr. read the emotional note that he wrote to Kenny about their shared bond:
I’ve known you a long time, and a lot of time his passed since that happened. And you’ve been a great friend to me.
You’re one of only a few to see the darkest moment for my dad. Though you have intimate knowledge of those moments, you are a keeper of that delicate information. It makes me feel close to you, Kenny.
I feel pain for you to have to carry that memory, but you carry it for me, you carry it for Kelley, dad’s family, you carry it for anyone who’s ever cheered for him. It’s a secret that you’ll keep ’til your last breath. Kenny, I know you might sometimes wish you weren’t the one, but I’m glad it was you.”
It’s clear from hearing Dale Jr. talk to Ken about something so personal that the two share a special bond over the tragic loss of Dale Sr.
And it was a special moment on the podcast for Dale Jr. to tell Ken just how much that bond means to him.
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“Go kick their a**” John Force Says To Chase Elliott Over The NASCAR Event
Just a day before the NASCAR All-Star Race weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports ace and 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, Chase Elliott, received best wishes from 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion, John Force.
The 75-year-old driver of the Peak Auto Chevrolet Camaro for John Force Racing wished Elliott luck ahead of the All-Star race while also sending his best wishes for the 28-year-old’s father.
“My #TeamChevy teammate @chaseelliott always says to eat at @Hooters. Somebody tell the boss at@TeamHendrick that the food was GREAT! Elliott, tell Dad I say I love him, and go kick their a** at
the @NASCAR ALL-STAR race! @peakauto,” John Force wrote on X.
John Force and Chase Elliott’s dad, Bill Elliott, have been friends for a long time now. The legendary Bill Elliott won this famous race back in 1986, the only time it was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway and not at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. However, the usual venue was altered following the pandemic-struck 2020.
Chase Elliott has one victory so far in the prestigious All-Star race, that came back in 2020 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Last year, he finished fifth in the coveted event. The Dawsonville native currently stands fourth in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, just above his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, William Byron, with 437 points to his credit.
Elliott’s only race victory so far has come at the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 in Fort Worth, Texas. He had two more podium finishes at the AdventHealth 400 in Kansas and the Cook Out 400 in Martinsville, finishing third in both races. The American most recently raced at the Goodyear 400 at the Darlington Speedway, finishing 12th.
The number 9 NAPA Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, wheeled by Chase Elliott will swap its usual blue and yellow paint scheme and instead, feature a sleek, matte-finish, all-black look to commemorate TEC5 Clifford
Strickland, who died in captivity during World War II.
This move by Hendrick Motorsports and longtime partner NAPA Auto
Parts during the Memorial Day weekend is a salute to the former and
the current members of the American military.
Lewis Hamilton has given Toto Wolff some advice and revealed his ideal choice of successor
“One Of Only A Few To See The Darkest Moment Of Dale Earnhardt” as exposed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Stirred Reaction
