Rafael Nadal Exposes Carlos Alcaraz’s Mistakes Before Jannik Sinner US Open Finals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Vivek Devane | Last updated Sep 6, 2025 3:02 AM ET

Rafael Nadal may be away from the grind of professional tennis, but the Spanish legend has been making the most of his time off both on and off the court. Earlier this year, Nadal and his wife, Maria Francisca Perello, welcomed another child into their family, marking a joyful new chapter in his personal life.

At the same time, Nadal has continued to stay connected to the sport he dominated for nearly two decades. Spending more time at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, the 22-time Grand Slam champion has been mentoring young talents such as Alexandra Eala, offering his wisdom and insights to the next generation.

But Nadal’s keen eye is not just limited to the academy. As the tennis world turns its attention to the blockbuster US Open final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, Nadal shared his thoughts on the two rising stars who have quickly become the faces of the sport’s future.

CARLOS ALCARAZ VS. JANNIK SINNER

For the THIRD straight time at a major men's singles final this year pic.twitter.com/DM5Zee95Ok
— ESPN (@espn) September 6, 2025

On Sinner, Nadal praised the Italian’s ability to dictate play with precision and relentless rhythm:

“He puts a rhythm on the forehand that is very difficult to follow. He’s very quick on picking the ball early and he’s quick on the transition from defending to attacking,” explained Nadal in an interview with The Athletic.

By contrast, Nadal described Alcaraz as a more unpredictable and daring player — capable of brilliance, but also more prone to errors:

“Carlos is more magic, he’s more unpredictable, he can play at a level that probably sometimes Jannik cannot,” he continued.

“But at the same time, he’s making more mistakes, too — he can play better, but he can play worse, and it’s about finding the balance. Carlos has all the shots, sometimes he’s making mistakes, but he’s going for the shots and it’s more amazing to see because at the end it’s more unexpected and unpredictable,” he went on to add.

“I like it, it’s very fun to see Carlos play because he’s able to produce amazing things and at the same time, he’s able to have mistakes, and that’s human,” Nadal admitted.

As Sinner and Alcaraz prepare to battle for the year’s final Grand Slam, Nadal’s analysis captures the essence of what makes their rivalry so enthralling — Sinner’s measured consistency against Alcaraz’s audacious brilliance. For fans, it is a match that promises both rhythm and chaos, steadiness and spectacle.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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