Rafael Nadal warns of 'mistake' ahead of dream Olympic partnership with Carlos Alcaraz
07/25/2024 03:59 AM
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz will form one of the most high-profile partnerships in the men’s doubles at the Paris Olympics with many believing they are favourites to win gold, but Nadal has cautioned against getting carried away.
Spanish fans have been yearning for the Nadal-Alcaraz doubles dream team at the 2024 Games since the latter made his breakthrough in 2022.
The 38-year-old Nadal will bring experience to the partnership as he has won 22 Grand Slams titles, has played professional tennis for nearly two full decades and is considered one of the all-time greats.
The 21-year-old Alcaraz will add the exuberance of youth, but he also has a lot of experience under his belt despite his age as he is already a four-time major winner having won this year’s French Open and Wimbledon.
With 26 Grand Slams between them, it is no surprise that many have tipped them to climb to the top step of the podium at Roland Garros, but Nadal is not counting his chickens before they have hatched.
“I understand a little bit the morbid illusion of seeing us play together but let’s not think that this translates into success, I think it’s a mistake. Carlos hasn’t played many doubles and I haven’t played many doubles or many singles lately,” the tennis legend said.
The former world No 1 added: “We are going to do our best to try, at least, to leave with the peace of mind of having done everything possible to get where we can get (but) obviously, we have not been able to prepare together for a tournament like this, where there are other doubles teams that have been preparing.”
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Nadal reached the final of the Swedish Open on Sunday as he finished runner-up to Nuno Borges in Bastad in his first tournament since losing in the first round of the French Open.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, hasn’t played since defeating Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final on July 14.
On top of that, Alcaraz will be going from grass back to clay, but he does have fond memories of playing on the red dirt in Paris as he won the French Open at the beginning of June.
“I have not had the opportunity to play many doubles tournaments, but obviously having the illusion of returning to Roland Garros, to these courts that I have always enjoyed playing… makes it easier,” Alcaraz.
The reigning world No 3 added: “We also have days of training, individually and doubles to adapt as best as possible again, for my part to return to clay and be able to gain confidence to start the tournament in the best possible way.”
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