The Masters tournament is a tough test for any golfer, especially after the opening round doesn’t go as expected. Such was the case for Spain’s Jon Rahm. But when the world’s top athletes stumble, they rarely need to look far for empathy. Two of Spain’s greatest athletes, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, have expressed their support for their compatriot’s comeback.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz’s Support Gives Jon Rahm a Masters Boost
At Augusta National, Rahm had a 6-over 78 start, tying his worst major score. He made zero birdies and had a double-bogey on the 13th hole after hitting into the bushes. However, Rahm fought back on Friday with a 2-under 70, making the cut and keeping his weekend hopes alive. And the backing of both Nadal and Alcaraz came at the right time.
Nadal has known Rahm for a long time. The 22-time Grand Slam champion follows golf closely and even played with Rahm before the golfer turned professional. During an interview with SportsCenter, reporters asked Nadal why he follows Rahm’s career so closely.
“I was lucky enough to play with him a long time ago in Indian Wells when he was the best amateur in the world,” Nadal said. “And there I followed him all his career too since the beginning. And, yeah, I think he’s playing fantastic. Just he had a bad day yesterday, but I see him that he’s doing well today, already minus two. So hopefully he can fight back and give him a chance.”
Their connection obviously begins with their home country. In 2023, Rahm said, “I’m a big Rafa fan, like many others, but he inspired a big generation of people to love tennis in Spain, and I think we’re seeing the dividends of that with Carlos coming out.” When Rahm previously won the Masters, he said a voice message from Nadal was one of the best congratulations he received.
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Alcaraz was cheering for Rahm as well. The 22-year-old tried to watch the golf tournament right after finishing his match against Alexander Bublik at the Monte-Carlo Masters. He told reporters on Friday about his rush back to the hotel to watch Rory McIlroy, though he made sure to check in on his compatriot’s progress.
“Just after the match, just ran back to the hotel to put on the Masters,” Alcaraz said. “So for me, I had a little bit of a problem, because I didn’t find it in the TV, and having a Spanish phone sometimes makes it tricky to watch the Augusta Masters.”
Despite the technical issues, Alcaraz managed to get updates.
“I could watch it a little bit,” Alcaraz said. “I felt sorry a little bit about Jon, didn’t have a good day yesterday. But supporting him always. Sergio Garcia, as well, Spanish player.”
Nadal, who retired from professional tennis in 2024, is now focused on coaching at his Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, where he recently hosted and trained world No. 4 Iga Świątek. Alcaraz, meanwhile, is currently playing in the Monte-Carlo Masters and just secured a victory over Alexander Bublik. Next up, he will face Valentin Vacherot in the semifinal.
