Paris Olympics,
Wednesday, 12 June, 2024
McCreadie Andias
Spanish Tennis Federation has confirmed that Carlos Alcaraz (21) and Rafael Nadal (38) will play doubles together at the Paris Olympics this summer.
“Rafa and Carlos will be playing together in Paris,” said Spain captain David Ferrer.
The tournament will be held from July 27 to August 3 on the iconic clay at Roland-Garros.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Pablo Carreno-Busta and Marcel Granollers complete the men’s team.
Ferrer says Alcaraz, Nadal, Davidovich Fokina and Carreno-Busta will all play the singles, Alcaraz and Nadal will be doubles partners, and Granollers will have another partner, yet to be revealed).
“I couldn’t win a medal as a player, I hope to do it as a captain. One pair is Nadal and Alcaraz and the second is still to be decided. We are confident that there can be more than one medal,” said Ferrer.
The pair were last in action at the French Open, where 14 time champion Nadal who is also Reffered to as ‘King of clay’ lost to Alexander Zverev in the first round and Alcaraz claimed his first title at Roland-Garros in a victory against Zverev.
Alcaraz idolised Nadal growing up and the 21-year-old will now have the chance to get his hands on a gold medal alongside his childhood hero.
In what he has admitted is likely to be his last season on tour, Nadal will be eager to add a third gold medal to his roll of honour before he hangs up his racquet.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion beat Fernando Gonzalez to win singles gold at the 2008 Beijing Games and combined with Marc Lopez to defeat Romania in the 2016 doubles final.