Nadal makes ranking confession after Alcaraz discusses No 1 ‘fight’

Rafael Nadal said he didn’t care about fighting Carlos Alcaraz for the world No 1 spot (Image: Getty)Rafael Nadal has confessed that he isn’t fussed about fighting for the world No 1 ranking at this week’s Paris Masters after Carlos Alcaraz discussed their battle for the top spot. The 19-year-old became the youngest No 1 in ATP history after winning the US Open and is now bidding to secure the ranking for the end of the year, while Nadal can overtake him this week.Nadal is in with a shot to become the oldest year-end world No 1 in ATP history if he can cement his place at the top of the rankings for the end of the 2022 season. But the 36-year-old has now admitted that he doesn’t care about battling countryman Alcaraz for the top spot this week in Paris, as he can dethrone the teenager by winning the title if Alcaraz loses before the quarter-final.Speaking ahead of his campaign to win the trophy in Paris-Bercy for the first time, the current world No 2 said: ‘To be clear, I don’t fight to be No 1. I fight to be competitive to every event where I play.’The 22-time Grand Slam winner first became the world No 1 all the way back in August 2008 and most recently held the top spot in February 2020. After spending more than a decade on-and-off at the top of the rankings, Nadal said it was no longer a goal of his.JUST IN: Raducanu told how to use Djokovic to improve after injury ends season Carlos Alcaraz received his world No 1 trophy at the Paris Masters (Image: Getty)He continued: ‘I will not do it anymore at this stage of my career. I had this goal in the past, I was happy and proud to achieve that, the first time in 2008.’ His words come after Alcaraz discussed the ‘fight’ for the world No 1 ranking between the two at the final Masters 1000 of the year.While the US Open champion said he didn’t see Nadal as a direct enemy for the top ranking, he said: ‘It’s true, Rafa is fighting for the No 1. Some players have the same goal – to be No 1, so I need to do my best… outside the court we [Rafa and I] are colleagues, at least it’s the way I see it.’DON’T MISSEmma Raducanu called out for coach history as ‘red flags’ discussedTennis ace aged 14 punched by dad in attack as Djokovic called to helpJack Draper to be part of Next Gen trial as players to face new rules Rafael Nadal hasn’t competed since the US Open (Image: Getty)