Carlos Alcaraz said hearing about his fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal’s retirement on Thursday was “painful.” 

“Honestly I couldn’t believe it. When I watched it [retireent announcement], it was tough to accept it. I was in shock a little bit. He’s an unbelievable person,” said Alcaraz after he was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters in the last eight, losing to 33rd-ranked Czech Tomas Machac 6-7, 5-7.