Spain’s Rafael Nadal (L) and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz pose for photos throughout a press convention on the Olympic Village, in Paris, on July 24, 2024, prior to participate within the males’s singles tennis competitors of the Paris Olympics 2024. (Picture by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP)
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz know they received’t win something on popularity alone enjoying collectively on the Paris Olympics however vowed on Wednesday to do the whole lot of their energy to beat an absence of preparation.
Nadal, the 2008 singles gold medallist, will pair up with Alcaraz in a tennis dream crew at Roland Garros, trying to additionally add to the doubles title he received with shut pal Marc Lopez at Rio in 2016.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was eager to minimize expectations forward of his closing Olympics, with Nadal and Alcaraz teaming up for the primary time.
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“I perceive the fascination, the hope of seeing us play collectively, (however) let’s not suppose that this interprets into success, I believe that’s a mistake,” mentioned the 38-year-old Nadal.
“On the finish of the day Carlos hasn’t performed a lot doubles and I haven’t performed a lot in both doubles or singles,” he mentioned at a Spanish crew press convention within the Olympic Village.
Each Nadal and Alcaraz can even compete within the singles at Roland Garros, the place Nadal has received the French Open a file 14 instances. Alcaraz captured the title in Paris for the primary time final month.
READ: Rafa Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz crew up for doubles at Paris Olympics
“We belief within the nice second that Carlos is in,” mentioned Nadal. Alcaraz retained his Wimbledon crown 10 days in the past, touchdown his fourth Grand Slam on the age of 21.
“We’re going to present our all to try to at the least go away with the peace of thoughts of getting accomplished the whole lot potential,” added Nadal.
Alcaraz mentioned it was “a dream” to have the ability to make his Olympic debut in doubles alongside Nadal.
He too sounded a be aware of warning and insisted their star energy was no assure of a medal.
“What I can say is that we’re going to do give the perfect of ourselves… with nice enthusiasm, let’s hope we are able to get pleasure from it and play nicely,” mentioned Alcaraz, who beat Novak Djokovic once more on this yr’s Wimbledon closing.
Djokovic, who received singles bronze in 2008, can even be in Paris because the Olympic tennis match is held on clay for the primary time since Barcelona in 1992.
Observe Inquirer Sports activities’ particular protection of the Paris Olympics 2024.
