Carlos Alcaraz teamed up with Rafael Nadal for their first doubles match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and they won despite Alcaraz’s nerves.
Playing alongside a childhood hero can be both thrilling and intimidating. Even though Alcaraz is a four-time Grand Slam winner, he felt the pressure just like anyone else would.
In the beginning of their first-round match, it was clear that Alcaraz was feeling the weight of the moment.
He later shared with the media that it wasn’t just playing with Nadal, but playing with him at the Olympics on Philippe Chatrier Court that made him nervous. The stadium was packed with fans eager to witness this historic event.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| es Carlos Alcaraz | 21 | 68,791 | 25 - 5 |
Match Dynamics:
Nadal is already a legend, and Alcaraz is on his way to becoming one too. “It wasn’t Rafa himself that was imposing on me, but the situation,” said Alcaraz. “In the end, seeing the Philippe Chatrier stadium full, playing with Rafa, my first Olympics… It was a moment I’ll say that was difficult to deal with the nerves.”
They faced some early challenges against Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni, who were seeded sixth. They lost their serve early but quickly broke back.
As they continued playing, both Nadal and Alcaraz found their rhythm and eventually overpowered their opponents. Fans are definitely excited about this duo’s potential.
Alcaraz showed his versatility all over the court while Nadal excelled at net play. This combination could become very powerful as they get more comfortable together.
Alcaraz expressed satisfaction with how they played together: “We were training very well and made the most of our opportunities; in the end we played great tennis.”
Rumors had swirled about Nadal possibly missing out due to an injury in practice, but fortunately he made it through without issues. Concerns about their lack of preparation time together also proved unfounded.
Fans might think it’s amazing how well they’ve gelled despite these hurdles. They beat one of the better teams in their draw who regularly play doubles together. Now they’re aiming for gold as they advance to the final 16.
What do you think? Can they win it all?
