Carlos Alcaraz made another Spanish tennis sensation’s day with a heart-warming interaction. The country has been blessed with top male players, with Rafael Nadal, who is nearing the end of his career, winning 22 grand slams.

In his place as Spain’s top star has come Alcaraz, who is already a four-time grand slam champion at the age of 21. The country now has another top talent coming through who may even give Alcaraz a run for his money over the next few years.

Rafa Jodar, 17, recently became just the fourth player in Spanish tennis history to win the US Open junior title after defeating several of the tournament’s top seeds. As a reward, he is accompanying the Spain team at the Davis Cup, with Alcaraz and co beginning their campaign this Wednesday.

Following his success in New York, Jodar was captured being congratulated with a hug by Alcaraz, via Mundodeportivo. The world number three began a friendly and supportive exchange, which went as follows:

Alcaraz: “What’s up, bro? How are you? All good?”
Jodar: “All good.”
Alcaraz: “Congratulations, man!”
Jodar: “Thanks a lot.”
Alcaraz: “Is everything ok? How was the flight?”
Jodar: “I arrived this morning. Yes, I’m a bit tired.”
Alcaraz: “Yesterday was hard.”
Jodar: “Yes. I have to rest tonight. What about you? All good?”
Alcaraz: “All good, man. I’m ok. We are training a lot here to be in top form.”

Spain Davis Cup captain David Ferrer then chipped in, joking: “A magnificent guy has arrived, this can’t be real.”

Naturally, Jodar, who turns 18 later this month, has grown up idolising Nadal while also developing a great respect for Alcaraz in more recent times. The youngster from Madrid said: “Since I was little, my idol was Nadal.

“I always watched him when he won the grand slams. I tried to do the same as him, although he is left-handed and I am right-handed, which is different‌. Now Carlos Alcaraz has emerged and he is also a reference. I had the opportunity to practice with him in Madrid and he is an excellent guy who does things very well and he is a very good person.”

Determined to stay grounded, Jodar added: “You shouldn’t think about two or three years ahead; you have to focus on what you’re doing well right now.”

Despite sharing the same first name, Jodar wasn’t named after Nadal. He explained, reports ITF: “My father is named Rafael, and my grandfather, and my great grandfather. Of course, I love [Nadal], and of course, he is my idol. But I wasn’t named Rafael because of him.”