Nadal and Alcaraz Set to Team Up for Olympic Doubles in Paris
The Spanish Tennis Federation announced on Wednesday that Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz will join forces as doubles partners representing Spain at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
This decision follows closely after 21-year-old Alcaraz clinched his maiden French Open title, marking his third Grand Slam victory.
The Olympic tennis tournament will be held on the same courts as the French Open, where Nadal boasts a record 14 singles titles.
Alcaraz, making his Olympic debut, is widely regarded as the successor to Nadal in Spanish tennis and has often expressed admiration for Nadal, his childhood idol.
“Rafa and Carlos will be playing together in Paris,” stated Spain’s captain David Ferrer when confirming the selection.
Alcaraz has identified winning an Olympic medal for Spain as a major career ambition. Following his Roland Garros triumph, he expressed a preference for Olympic gold this year over defending his Wimbledon title.
“The Olympic Games are every four years and it’s a special tournament where you’re not only playing for yourself, but for a country, representing every Spaniard,” said Alcaraz, currently ranked No. 2. “I think this year I’d choose Olympic gold.”
Nadal, aged 38, will also compete in singles and already holds Olympic gold medals in singles (2008) and doubles (2016, alongside Marc Lopez), in addition to his 22 Grand Slam titles.
Having suffered early elimination at this year’s Roland Garros, Nadal hinted that this might be his final year on the tour due to ongoing injury concerns.
Joining Nadal and Alcaraz in the men’s Spanish Olympic team are Pablo Carreno Busta, Alejandro Davidovich, and Marcel Granollers.
Anabel Medina, the team captain, selected Sara Sorribes Tormo (No. 55) and Cristina Bucsa (No. 67), the top-ranked Spanish players, for the women’s team. Paula Badosa opted out of competing, citing her limited events under a protected ranking.
The stage is set for Nadal and Alcaraz to combine their talents in pursuit of Olympic glory, representing Spain on the global tennis stage in Paris.
