"I always say he has 1000 lives, I mean he's dying and he survives in every match" - Carlos Alcaraz ahead of Madrid QF against Rafael Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz showered praise on Rafael Nadal's never-say-die attitude after booking his place in the last eight of the Madrid Masters, where he will face the Mallorcan.

Speaking to Prime Video after beating Cameron Norrie, Alcaraz was asked how he plans to score his maiden win over the 21-time Major champion.

In response, the teenager highlighted just how tough it is to face Rafael Nadal, who has the ability to eke out wins from any position.

"Honestly, I don't know, I always say that he has 1000 lives (laughs), I mean he's dying and he survives in every match, every tough match for him but well I think if I play really good game I have chances to win," Alcaraz said.

Nadal and Alcaraz have locked horns twice so far, with the 35-year-old winning on both occasions. The Mallorcan handed Alcaraz a 6-1, 6-2 beatdown the first time they met, which was incidentally at the Madrid Masters last year.

They next faced off at the Indian Wells Masters in March. Nadal fractured his rib during the match but fought through the pain to prevail 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

"To play Rafael Nadal, it's very nice, especially here in Madrid" - Carlos Alcaraz

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz will meet each other in the last eight of the Madrid Masters on Friday. Alcaraz admitted that playing his more illustrious compatriot is always special, even more so in their home event.

However, the teenager asserted that he would try to view his clash against the 21-time Major champion as just "another match" in order to "manage" the pressure.

"Well, it's a special match for me, of course, to play Rafa, it's very nice, and especially here in Madrid," said Alcaraz. "But I will try not to think so much about that. I'm going to try to think that it's another match, a quarterfinals, that today I have already played a couple quarterfinals. I will try to manage the pressure, the nerves, and I will have to show a good level of tennis. Mentally I will also try to control myself."

The teenager believes he is fortunate to have been able to play Nadal at least once since he always dreamed of doing so as a kid.

"I would say yes. Lucky to play against Rafa," said Alcaraz. "I always wished to play against him when I was younger, and yeah, it's special."