The Netflix Slam had a movie ending. A match between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, in an emblematic setting like the Michelob Ultra Arena, deserved to end with suspense. That’s how it went. We had to wait for the super tie break to know the winner. Finally, Alcaraz won, 3-6, 6-4 and 14-12. Although that’s the least of it because people came to see a show and that’s what they had.
Nadal left the point for the Netflix video library, with a forehand pass on the run with a ball to lose. 1 hour and 50 minutes had passed. He raised a second match point, with 10-9 after a backhand from the Murcian that died in the net. And a third and a fourth, with a right to the doubles aisle and another bite.
Alcaraz hits a right
Alcaraz, as he does in official tournaments, chose to subtract after winning the draw. He feels more comfortable starting from the return. The stands were more with the champion of 22 majors. It was noticed after achieving the first point on the volley. From a privileged position I saw it Pau Gasol alongside Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Charlize Theron. Lindsay Vonn and Colin Kaepernick were also very close by..
The show was both inside and outside the black court chosen for the occasion and reminiscent of the one used in Roger Federer’s Laver Cup. The Swiss was not among the attendees and neither was his agent Tony Gpdsick, but his wife, Mary Joe Fernandez, was.
Nadal enjoyed a breaking ball already in the second game. He did not need to take advantage of it because he came with a gift from his young opponent in the form of a double fault. The nerves were more noticeable in the twenty-year-old’s racket.
Carlitos had gathered all the members of his team for the occasion: Juan Carlos Ferrero (coach), Alberto Lledó (physical trainer), Juanjo Moreno (physiotherapist), Juanjo López (doctor) and Albert Molina (agent).
In 13 minutes, the score was 3-0. Rafa had finished with his back turned and his followers were amazed. Alcaraz scored his first goal in the 18th minute with a direct throw-in. Three double faults stood out in the statistics of Ferrero’s pupil. The greater number of unforced errors cost him the initial round.
The same script but in reverse
The double champion of a major reacted in the continuation supported by his enormous right hand. A double fault from his decorated opponent gave him air and a favorable score of 2-0. He confirmed the lead up to 3-0. The script of the first set was repeated but in reverse.
Alcaraz served to sign the draw at 5-3 and failed. She then equalized from the rest.
The outcome was delayed a few minutes because they had to evacuate a fan due to indisposition. In Las Vegas she won tennis.
