{"id":295366,"date":"2023-11-28T10:24:17","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T10:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=295366"},"modified":"2023-11-28T10:24:17","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T10:24:17","slug":"nadal-has-protege-no-one-will-want-to-face-with-chance-to-follow-alcaraz-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/tennis\/nadal-has-protege-no-one-will-want-to-face-with-chance-to-follow-alcaraz-path\/","title":{"rendered":"Nadal has protege ‘no one’ will want to face with chance to follow Alcaraz path"},"content":{"rendered":"

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One of Rafael Nadal\u2019s young proteges is making his debut at this year\u2019s Next Gen ATP Finals. Abdullah Shelbayh has been training at Nadal\u2019s Mallorcan academy since 2018 and the 22-time Major winner touted him as a bright young prospect, with his coach Carlos Moya claiming that no one will want to face Shelbayh. The world No 185 now has a chance to follow in Carlos Alcaraz\u2019s footsteps by winning the 21-and-under event.<\/p>\n

Shelbayh is part of the field at this week\u2019s Next Gen Finals, a tournament that pits eight of the best young players against each other in a format similar to the regular season-ending championships. Winning the event has often been a springboard for success, with Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Stefanos Tsitsipas among the past champions.<\/p>\n

The world No 185 will now be hoping that he can add his name to that list after being invited to take part in the tournament. Shelbayh already has experience in sparring with one of the sport\u2019s biggest stars as he has been able to practice with Nadal since joining the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2018.<\/p>\n

And the former world No 1 believes his protege has more talent than some of his young rivals. \u201cTo describe Abdullah, you have to analyze his talent,\u201d Nadal told the ATP. \u201cI think he is a player with a very special innate talent, capable of doing things that the vast majority cannot. With his style of play, he makes opponents feel very uncomfortable. I know this because I have trained with him quite a few times.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Nadal thinks the 20-year-old has taken a significant step forward in recent months after lifting the Charleston Challenger title and getting his first match wins on the ATP Tour. He added: \u201cHe has had a very positive season, reaping very good results and with a good climb in the ranking. Now comes a very nice moment, playing the Next Gen ATP Finals.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just the 92-time title winner who believes Shelbayh can make waves on the tennis tour, as Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya is also backing the youngster. A former world No 1 himself, Moya said: \u201cI think Abdullah is a different, great, unpredictable player and that is what makes him fun to watch and makes him a difficult opponent to read for the opponent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe jumble he has is very good, but if he manages to organise it a little\u2026 he could be a player that no one wants to play with. He makes incredible shots, and when you least expect it. Being unpredictable creates tremendous discomfort for rivals. He doesn’t have to lose that and improve his consistency a little more.\u201d<\/p>\n