Why Rafael Nadal Doesn&x27;t Think Carlos Alcaraz Needs His Advice on How to Navigate Fame (Exclusive) Brendan LeThu, May 28, 2026 at 7:31 PM UTC 0 Rafael Nadal and Carlos AlcarazCredit: Carlos Alvarez/Getty; Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Tennis legend Rafael Nadal tells PEOPLE why he doesn&x27;t believe Carlos Alcaraz will need his advice on being in the public eye His Netflix docuseries Rafa, released on May 29, explores his career, personal life and legacy as he prepares for his final year on tour He emphasizes the importance of staying natural and respectful while navigating ce...
Why Rafael Nadal Doesn't Think Carlos Alcaraz Needs His Advice on How to Navigate Fame (Exclusive)
Brendan LeThu, May 28, 2026 at 7:31 PM UTC
0
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz
Credit: Carlos Alvarez/Getty; Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty -
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal tells PEOPLE why he doesn't believe Carlos Alcaraz will need his advice on being in the public eye
His Netflix docuseries Rafa, released on May 29, explores his career, personal life and legacy as he prepares for his final year on tour
He emphasizes the importance of staying natural and respectful while navigating celebrity status as an athlete
Rafael Nadal thinks Carlos Alcaraz will be just fine forging his own path.
Like Nadal, 39, Alcaraz was ushered into the spotlight at a young age. After the Spaniards each won their respective maiden Grand Slam titles at age 19, they rose to international fame.
With their success came modeling gigs, magazine covers and an army of adoring fans.
Nadal’s Netflix docuseries Rafa, released on Friday, May 29, delves into the tennis legend’s two-decade career, including his public image as a sex symbol in his 20s. Alcaraz, 23 — whose recent Vanity Fair cover had social media buzzing — seems to be following in the footsteps of his compatriot.
However, Nadal tells PEOPLE that Alcaraz won’t need his help managing the increased attention.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal on day five of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros on July 31, 2024 in Paris
Credit: Julian Finney/Getty
“He has a bit of a different personality [from mine],” explains the 14-time French Open winner. “He has a great team next to him that, probably, he will receive the right instructions and the right advice.”
Still, he says he’s “always ready to speak” to the young phenom if there’s “anything he needs.”
He adds, “But I think he doesn’t need much from me.”
Advertisement
The four-part docuseries Rafa pulls back the curtain on the notoriously private Nadal’s inner and personal life in 2024, which marked his final year on tour.
It also sees the 22-time major champion reflect on every aspect of his accomplished resume, from overcoming injuries to starring in Shakira’s 2010 music video for “Gypsy.”
Shakira and Rafael Nadal in "Gypsy" in 2010
Credit: Shakira/YouTube
Through it all, Nadal says that it’s important to “be yourself” while navigating celebrity status.
“At the end of the day, it's about being natural, being open and trying to understand every single situation because you are part of the show,” he continues. “The other part of the show is the photographers, the interviewers, the press, the fans. Without all these people around you, you will not be who you are.”
Rafael Nadal at his farewell ceremony in Malaga, Spain, on Nov. 19, 2024
Credit: Jean Catuffe/Getty
— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Nadal emphasizes that athletes should “be respectful with everyone who is inside the sports business, because at the end, they are the ones who help you to grow.”
Directed by Emmy winner Zach Heinzerling, the four-part docuseries Rafa explores Nadal's career and legacy through interviews with the all-time great himself, as well as his family, commentators and even his rivals, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
on People
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: May 28, 2026 at 10:45PM on Source: RON MAG
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle