The “Netflix Slam” in Las Vegas on Sunday will have Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz in the spotlight. It is said that the two tennis titans will be paid enormous sums of money to compete in the celebrity-filled event.
This matchup with Carlos Alcaraz was originally scheduled for March 2023, but it was postponed due to Rafael Nadal’s injury difficulties and other similar worries.
Due to an injury that kept him out of the Australian Open in January, Rafael Nadal was forced to withdraw from an ATP Tour event in Qatar last month.
Subsequently, Alcaraz had an ankle injury during a competition in Rio, raising the possibility that he could have to be substituted for the highly anticipated event in Las Vegas.
However, it appears that the two Spanish celebrities are healthy enough to participate in an event that serves as a test run for Netflix as they consider whether to start showing more live sports.
Having shared the court with Rafa in Las Vegas, US Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz expressed his gratitude to Netflix.
Naturally, he is an all-time great, and his accomplishments and records speak for themselves.
Similar thoughts were expressed by Nadal’s opponent as well. With great anticipation for my first trip to Las Vegas, the 22-time Grand Slam champion expressed.
“Playing alongside Carlos Alcaraz, a fellow countryman, excites me as well. It will undoubtedly be an amazing night of tennis.
Given that the two affluent players are reportedly getting more than $1 million apiece to participate in the match, it makes sense that they are excited to be a part of this special event.
Alcaraz has been a major attraction for tournament organizers as well; rumor has it that the young Spaniard demands a $750,000 appearance fee to compete in competitions.
Apart from the main event, spectators may participate in private tennis lessons with Nadal and Alcaraz, which are priced at an incredible $150,000, thanks to MGM Resorts.
On the official event website, the private sessions are already sold out. Additionally, joint group clinics with the two former world No. 1 players are offered for $50,000 per person.
With former British No. 1 Laura Robson telling Tennis365 that the game needs to embrace new concepts to draw in a new, younger audience, tennis exhibition events seem to be entering a new era.
During the debut of the new Sky Sports Tennis channel, Robson told Tennis365, “I’m all for new plans, new developments.”
I recently returned from the Australian Open, and I was thrilled that spectators could enter matches at any time after 1-0 and didn’t have to wait outside until all three games were completed.
“It greatly improved the experience for onlookers, and there were no problems after the players adapted.
“I support faster courts and balls as long as they increase tennis’s appeal to the largest possible audience.
“I would welcome any adjustments that improve the sport. Four-and-a-half-hour matches seem excessively long.
“We should try new things, but tennis has been the same for a very long time, and people don’t like disruption.”
Many well-known figures will participate in “on and off-court commentary and play-by-play,” according to a statement from Netflix.
Along with tennis expert Prakash Amritraj, host Kay Adams, and players Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, Mary Joe Fernández, and Patrick McEnroe, Spanish viewers will hear Feliciano Lopez and David Ferrer.