Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz to copy Lando Norris in new Netflix event
Netflix has announced that tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz will meet in a new event next year. The event will take place in Las Vegas on March 3 and has been named ‘The Netflix Slam’.
The match between Nadal and Alcaraz will be live-streamed on the platform and available to watch for Netflix subscribers. It’s not the first time that Netflix has decided to livestream a sporting event. It was only last month that golf took centre stage in Las Vegas as ‘The Netflix Cup’ was hosted at Wynn Golf Club.
PGA Tour stars Justin Thomas, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler, and Tony Finau all took part in the event – Collin Morikawa was also supposed to feature but withdrew due to injury. They were joined by F1 stars Carlos Saintz, Lando Norris, Pierre Gasly, and Alex Albon.
Now the streaming service will be adding tennis to its growing live broadcasting portfolio, starting from next March. Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino will host the match between Nadal and Alcaraz.
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When the event was announced, Nadal expressed his delight at the opportunity to take on Alcaraz in Las Vegas. Nadal has not played professional tennis since January when he sustained an injury in the second round of the Australian Open.
“I’m very excited for my first visit to Las Vegas, one of the most iconic and entertaining cities in the world,” said Nadal, via Netflix’s website. “I’m also very excited to be playing with my fellow countryman Carlos Alcaraz. I am sure it will be a fantastic night of tennis.”
Alcaraz echoed Nadal’s views about the upcoming event organised by Netflix. The reigning Wimbledon champion and two-time Grand Slam winner explained what he is looking forward to most about facing his compatriot once again.
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“I’m honored and so happy to be sharing the court with Rafa in Las Vegas,” said Alcaraz. “He’s an all-time great, of course, and his records and achievements speak for themselves. Rafa also is one of the nicest guys on Tour and I look forward to our match on March 3.”
Netflix also says that other players for further matches in the event will be announced in due course. For fans wishing to attend the event, ticket prices will begin at $88 (£70) each and go on sale on Friday, December 15 at 6pm (GMT).
Nadal is yet to return to the court following a hip injury that he sustained at the Australian Open. The 22-time Grand Slam winner underwent surgery in June and has been in recovery ever since.
He announced that he will make his return at the Brisbane International in January, ahead of his Grand Slam return at the Australian Open later in the month. The Spaniard has previously hinted that the 2024 season could be his final year on tour before retiring.
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