​Despite a very good start to the season, Carlos Alcaraz has not been able to continue the good form shown at the start of 2022. However, Patrick Muratoglu said that the Iberian is a category ahead of the great Rafael Nadal, who won the Australian Open and Roland Garros this year.

Rafael NadalPhoto: Mark Greenwood/IPS/Shutterstock Editorial/Profimedia Images

Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Wimbledon semifinals with an abdominal tear, and a month later, the Iberian announced he would not compete in the Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal, which begins on Monday.

Carlos Alcaraz, on the other hand, will compete in Toronto and wants to capture the title.

Patrick Muratoglou: Carlos Alcaraz, the best on the ATP circuit in games against serve, as he wins the first point

Patrick Muratoglu, the coach of Simona Halep, claims that Rafael Nadal is inferior to Carlos Alcaraz in only one department: the games against the serve when he takes the first point.

“Rafael Nadal has one of the best return rates on the ATP circuit. He has won more than anyone and has the highest percentage at 33.5%.

But one player beats Rafa in rebounding stats this season: Carlos Alcaraz.

Did you know that Alcaraz wins 51.8% of games on serve when he takes the first point?

To put this into perspective, the circuit average for this section is 38.4%. Alcaraz is also the clear leader when it comes to winning the first two points in return matches, winning 77.8% of them, 5 percent more than Rafa.

The average indicator for the chain is 59.4%.

When it’s 30-30 on the return leg, Alcaraz wins 38.5% of games, also a better percentage than Rafa.” – Patrick Muratoglu.

This year’s Australian Open and Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal holds the record for the number of Grand Slam tournaments won (22). The Iberian hopes to be present at the last major tournament of the year: the US Open (August 29-September 11).

Alcaraz, on the other hand, has not won a single Grand Slam to date.