Carlos Alcaraz is asked about the comparisons with Rafa Nadal and his response is forceful: "I don't want..."

Carlos Alcaraz , along with Jannik Sinner , leads the ATP circuit. The Murcian has managed to inspire Spanish tennis fans once again, and his career inevitably draws comparisons with Rafa Nadal, the man who was and is the greatest tennis figure in our country.

The Manacor native's retirement came at a time when Alcaraz was already making his mark with four Grand Slam titles. Rafa Nadal received the appropriate tributes— the most important of which was this year at Roland Garros—but his final farewell to the court also fueled comparisons .

Will Carlos Alcaraz be able to surpass Nadal's 22 Grand Slam titles? Will he be able to do so while also enjoying other things outside of tennis? These have been some of the questions that have swirled around him recently.

Although both have taken it upon themselves to establish their own style on and off the court, comparisons seem inevitable. In contrast to Nadal's more serious style and his usual composure, Alcaraz doesn't hesitate to portray himself as a more extroverted individual.

On a purely tennis level, many were quick to point out the coincidence that occurred this year. Both men reached their fifth Grand Slam title at the age of 22 years, one month, and three days. In Alcaraz's case, it was Roland Garros; in Nadal's, it was Wimbledon. The exact age.

During an interview with the Financial Times , the El Palmar native was asked about the parallels with Nadal and, once again as he has done on several occasions, he was blunt: "I don't want to be called Rafa [Nadal's] successor."

Last year, Carlos Alcaraz, speaking on the public channel France 5, reiterated the same point: "I don't want to see myself as Rafa's replacement. I'm losing out because of everything he's done for tennis, for sport in Spain."

The truth is that both tennis players have praised each other recently . For Alcaraz, Nadal has been one of his greatest role models and the reason he wanted to become a professional. For Nadal, Alcaraz has a great career ahead of him, accompanied by a supportive family.

The two have avoided comparisons . Moreover, at the Paris Olympics, the Murcian and the Balearic Islander demonstrated their good rapport off the court and on it while playing in the doubles tournament.