Las Vegas headliners: Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz coming to MGM Grand Garden Arena in 2023

The Spaniards are set to battle in "THE SLAM: Nadal vs. Alcaraz" on March 5.

By Baseline StaffPublished December 06, 2022

After successively beating Nadal and Djokovic, the young Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz won his second Masters 1000 of the season in Madrid on Sunday, and has established himself as one of the contenders for the title in Paris - FILE - Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) during his quarter final match against Rafael Nadal (ESP) match at the Mutua Madrid Open in Madrid, Spain, May 6, 2022. Photo by Corinne Dubreuil/Abaca/Sipa USA(Sipa via AP Images) — © Sipa USA

Since opening on the Las Vegas Strip in December 1993, the MGM Grand Garden Arena has staged performances of all kinds.

But from a pair of meetings between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson—including the dubbed “The Bite Fight”—to the billed “Fight Of The Century” pitting Floyd Mayweather Jr. against Manny Pacquio, it's perhaps most widely recognized for putting on iconic bouts inside the ring.

On March 5, 2023, a more friendly duel will commence when the current Top 2 on the ATP Tour come together. Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal will headline the THE SLAM: Nadal vs. Alcaraz,” hosted by MGM Resorts International as they clash for the Lion’s Cup.

The match of 2023 is set! 🎾
All-time great @RafaelNadal faces world No.1 @carlosalcaraz in THE SLAM hosted by @MGMRewards! Don’t miss the pros in action March 5th, 2023 at Grand Garden Arena!

🎟️ Tickets on sale Friday, Dec 9: https://t.co/gdEdu52fDW pic.twitter.com/NOF8OncMnQ
— MGM Grand Hotel (@MGMGrand) December 6, 2022

The one-night event has extra meaning for Nadal, as it brings the 22-time major champion to a city he’s yet to experience.

“I’m very excited for my first visit to Las Vegas, one of the most iconic and entertaining cities in the world,” the 36-year-old said.

Added reigning US Open champion Alcaraz, “I’m honored and so happy to be sharing the court with Rafa in Las Vegas. Rafa also is one of the nicest guys on tour and I look forward to our match.”

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 06: Carlos Alcaraz Garfia of Spain (R) and Rafael Nadal of Spain interact following their quarter-final match during day nine of Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May 06, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Officially, Nadal leads Alcaraz 2-1 in their head-to-head series. This year, the left-hander took their semifinal in three sets at Indian Wells, before Alcaraz struck back with a three-set quarterfinal win in Madrid en route to the title.

Tickets for the exhibition go on sale to the public on December 9. Pre-event highlights include a 90-minute VIP clinic and a celebrity doubles match featuring Bob and Mike Bryan.

After Nadal and Alcaraz battle it out, Rivea and Skyfall at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino will hold THE SLAM Gala benefiting the Rafa Nadal Foundation, MGM Resorts Foundation and National Tennis Foundation.