Flying to Las Vegas to witness an exhibition match is how big of a deal Carlos Alcaraz is for Pau Gasol. No denying that it wasn’t just any other exhibition game, but it was Alcaraz going head-to-head with none other than going against none other than Rafael Nadal, a clash of Spanish tennis titans then. Still, Gasol’s excitement was skyrocketing. So you can only imagine the pride the former Los Angeles Lakers would be feeling like on the 22-year-old Spanish tennis star’s recent win over Jannik Sinner. Not just pride, a moment that prompted Gasol to sum it all up with a proud four-word message to the young phenom.
In case you’ve been out of the loop, Alcaraz grabbed a major win on Sunday, May 18, by defeating his rival Jannik Sinner in straight sets. The match took place in Rome, where Alcaraz clinched the Italian Open crown with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 triumph in the final. With the French Open around the corner, this victory couldn’t have come at a better time. Naturally, Pau Gasol didn’t miss the moment to celebrate Alcaraz’s success on social media.
“¡Vamos, Carlos! Enhorabuena (Translation: Come on, Carlos! Congratulations),” the ex-Laker posted on X. He was reposting Alcaraz’s celebration, where the young star held up his trophy in triumph. And honestly, Gasol’s cheer makes perfect sense. After all, this win marked Alcaraz’s third title of the year, coming from his fourth final this season. The Spanish tennis star now sits at world number two, right behind Sinner. Even more impressive? Alcaraz is the only player to beat Sinner in a tour final since the beginning of 2024. But the list doesn’t end there.
¡Vamos, Carlos! Enhorabuena!!! https://t.co/NobEPYfUNR
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) May 19, 2025
At just 22, Alcaraz now boasts seven ATP Masters titles, making his overall collection of big titles 11. That puts him on a par with Michael Chang and Alexander Zverev for the joint-eighth most Masters 1000 titles in history. Alongside these, the Spaniard has also secured four Grand Slam trophies to date. No wonder Pau Gasol could not control his excitement over Alcaraz’s win. However, it’s not just Alcaraz who holds a close spot in Gasol’s life when it comes to tennis.
Pau Gasol and his closeness with Rafael Nadal in public eye
Most NBA fans remember Pau Gasol as Kobe Bryant’s closest confidant—the one who stood by him on and off the court. Even after Kobe’s passing, Gasol continues to be there for the Bryant family. But if there’s one other bond in his life that’s been catching eyes lately, it’s his friendship with Rafael Nadal. A connection rooted in mutual respect, national pride, and a shared pursuit of greatness in their respective sports. Their camaraderie, often on display at major sporting events, reflects Gasol’s deep admiration for fellow Spanish icons making history.
Of course, both share the pride of their Spanish roots, which naturally brings them closer. But what really deepened their connection? Surprisingly, it’s their shared love for golf. Back in his NBA days, Gasol wasn’t particularly drawn to the sport. Yet over the years, something about the calm of the course must’ve clicked. These days, it’s not uncommon to see the two teeing off together, using the fairways as a place to catch up, share laughs, and strengthen a friendship built far beyond their respective courts.
Now, he’s frequently seen swinging clubs—and not alone. His connection with Nadal seems to trace back to a moment they both captured on Instagram, hanging out at Nadal’s tennis academy. They didn’t just take pictures with rackets—they reportedly hit the court together. Since then, the duo has kept the camaraderie alive, whether they’re golfing, kicking a ball around, or turning up at events side by side.
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