Carlos Alcaraz hopes for 'dream' Rafa Nadal pairing at Paris 2024 Olympics, laments his absence at 2023 French Open
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Updated 26/05/2023 at 18:56 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz is seen as the natural successor to 37-year-old Rafael Nadal, given the remarkable power both possess and their shared nationality. While Nadal is quite likely to quit tennis in 2024, it leaves a chance for the compatriots to compete together as doubles in Paris at the Olympic Games. The younger man has confirmed he would love to take the opportunity.
‘It would be a dream’ – Alcaraz on playing doubles with Nadal at Paris 2024 Olympics
Carlos Alcaraz has said it would be “a dream” to play doubles tennis alongside Rafa Nadal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The current world No. 1 appears to be the natural successor to the former best-in-the-world Nadal as the older player edges towards retirement.
Alcaraz, just 20, has emerged as a force of nature on the court and many expect him to dominate the sport as one of the new, younger players who are starting to overtake the 'Big Three', with Nadal reducing his commitments and missing the French Open, Novak Djokovic struggling to match his best after missing much of the last two years, and Roger Federer already retired.
Nadal has 22 majors to his name but injury has kept him out of his second home at Roland-Garros, and he believes that next year will be his last on the professional circuit.
"For me, it could be a dream playing doubles with him in the Olympics," said Alcaraz on Friday when discussing the chances of playing with his idol.
"Let's see how he's doing and how he's going this year. Hopefully he's going great."
Alcaraz continued: "I felt bad when I heard that Rafa was not able to play here in Roland-Garros and probably the rest of the year.
"As a fan of tennis, I always watched Rafa playing. I always want to watch the best players in the world playing the tournaments."
"It was tough to understand how it's going to be without Rafa this year. Hopefully we'll see him next year and that he's 100 percent."
Turning to his own chances at Roland-Garros, Alcaraz told Eurosport's Alex Corretja how he finds time to wind down.
He said: "I’m a very simple person. the best way to disconnect is to spend time with family, friends, doing nothing special, be with them, talk about everything and feel comfortable. It is the best way and it’s super necessary."
He continued: "This tournament is special for Spanish players. It’s a tournament that I really want to do well, to win it one day. Last year I played at a high level, I reached the quarte-rfinals and this year I come here with a lot of desire, with a lot of motivation, having a lot of confidence and I’m training at a high level.
"I feel very good. This court transmits different feelings to other courts.
"In a Grand Slam you need to know how to manage everything. The energy, the rest, everything. In training... It depends on each player, how they feel, but it’s super important to have good guidelines and do everything perfectly if you want to get good results."
Iga Swiatek, one of the favourites in the women's draw, also said she hoped Nadal would return next year to be more involved..
"I don't want to focus on statistics or what he could achieve by playing here this year," said the Pole.
"For me, the most important thing is if he's just healthy and happy. Hopefully he's going to play next season and feel better. That's the most important thing for me."
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