Toni Nadal Challenges Carlos Alcaraz’s Claims of Being "Targeted" by ATP Rivals

Toni Nadal disagrees with Carlos Alcaraz’s claims that he is being targeted by rivals, arguing that opponents simply play harder against the best.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 8:19 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

Alcaraz Expresses Frustration Over Rival Performance Levels

Carlos Alcaraz’s dominant start to the 2026 season, which included back-to-back titles at the Australian Open and Qatar Open, hit a roadblock at the Indian Wells Open. After a straight-sets semi-final defeat to Daniil Medvedev, Alcaraz shared his frustrations regarding the "insane level" his opponents seem to find when facing him. The seven-time Grand Slam winner remarked that he felt like he was "facing Roger Federer every round," suggesting that lower-ranked players frequently over-perform specifically to claim the scalp of the world No. 1. Alcaraz admitted that this perceived "target on his back" has become a source of concern and mental fatigue during his matches.

Toni Nadal Offers a Different Perspective on Elite Competition

The comments did not sit well with Toni Nadal, the uncle and longtime coach of Rafael Nadal. Speaking to Onda Cero’s Radioestadio Noche, the legendary coach dismissed the idea of Alcaraz being unfairly targeted. Nadal argued that the phenomenon Alcaraz is experiencing is a mechanical necessity of elite sports: when an athlete faces a superior opponent, they are forced to take significantly more risks to have any chance of victory. According to Toni Nadal, Medvedev’s aggressive and inspired play wasn't driven by a personal vendetta against Alcaraz, but by the tactical reality that playing safe would lead to a certain loss against the world's top-ranked player.

The Burden of Being the Best

Toni Nadal’s critique centers on the idea that Alcaraz is currently the victim of his own success. "It’s not a battle against Alcaraz – it’s a battle against the best," Nadal noted, reinforcing that being the benchmark for the rest of the tour is a natural consequence of holding the No. 1 spot. He suggested that Alcaraz should view these "Federer-level" performances from rivals as a compliment to his own standing in the game. By reframing the narrative, Nadal implies that Alcaraz must learn to manage the psychological pressure of being the hunted rather than the hunter if he wishes to maintain his long-term dominance.