Carlos Alcaraz set up a semi-final meeting with Rafael Nadal after beating Holger Rune at the Six Kings Slam.

Alcaraz thanked Nadal for his career after the latter confirmed that he will retire from tennis at the Davis Cup Finals next month.

The duo are set to play together for Spain at the event in Malaga, but will first come face-to-face on the court in Riyadh.

Nadal has been impressed by Alcaraz in his relatively brief career so far, which already includes four Grand Slam titles.

The 21-year-old does, however, have some way to go before he can reach the 22 major titles won by Nadal.

Nadal is rapidly running out of events before hanging up his racket, but he does have an opportunity for further success at the Six Kings Slam.

And his next opponent has mixed feelings about meeting Nadal so close to his retirement, with Alcaraz saying in his latest Six Kings Slam press conference: “I do not know if it is an honour for me to face him in the last month of his career, or difficult for me because he is my legend, and in general I will try to enjoy every minute playing against him, and I will play with all my strength because I want to win.

“It is not easy to play against Rafael Nadal, he has high quality, and exceptional experience, and every time he returns to the court, he returns stronger, so it will be a difficult match, and everyone will enjoy it. I will remember many things when I face Nadal, and it will be a great moment for me and my family.”

Perhaps the last thing on Alcaraz’s mind when Nadal announced his retirement was having to prepare to meet him on the court so soon after.

The former idolises the latter, and may just find it difficult to overcome his hero, particularly so close to his final event.

There is, however, huge prize money on offer, with the younger Spaniard well aware of just how lucrative a spot in the final would be.

The pair have met three times in ATP Tour action so far, with Nadal boasting two wins compared to a single victory for Alcaraz.

Playing together has been much more common for the Spanish duo, having paired at the 2024 Paris Olympics earlier this year.