Rafael Nadal is considering partnering with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics this year. Alcaraz, the world No. 3 in singles, has expressed his desire to play with Nadal, who has been hampered by injuries in recent years. Nadal, who is competing at the Madrid Open this week, spoke on the IGUALES podcast and reassured Alcaraz that he is excited about the prospect of playing together before the Games. Nadal returned to competition earlier this year after a hip issue kept him sidelined for most of last season, and is hopeful that he and Alcaraz can form a strong partnership on the court.
Despite his recent return to competition, Nadal’s participation at Roland-Garros is still uncertain. He is eyeing a third gold medal at the Paris Olympics this summer, having previously won in singles at the 2008 Beijing Games and in doubles in 2016. Alcaraz, on the other hand, will be making his Olympic debut. Nadal believes that if both players are fit, they have the potential to form a strong team and achieve great things at the Games. He sees the partnership as beneficial not only for themselves but also for the Spanish team, and is eager to see how things progress as they work together to prepare for the Olympics.
Nadal recently played his first match in Madrid, defeating 16-year-old Darwin Blanch, but admitted that he didn’t feel physically tested during the match. His body is still adjusting to competition after his injuries, and his participation at Roland-Garros remains uncertain. Nonetheless, he is focused on his goal of potentially partnering with Alcaraz at the Olympics and is looking forward to the opportunity to play alongside the young talent. Nadal faces Australian 10th seed Alex de Minaur in the second round in Madrid, hoping to continue his momentum and build rapport with Alcaraz on the court.
Both Nadal and Alcaraz are hoping to play some tournaments together before the Olympics in order to prepare and establish a strong partnership. Nadal’s experience and success in major tournaments, particularly at Roland-Garros where he has won 14 titles, could prove valuable for the pair as they aim for success at the Games. Alcaraz, who has been rising in the rankings and making a name for himself in the tennis world, is excited at the prospect of partnering with Nadal and learning from his mentor on and off the court. The partnership between the two Spaniards is eagerly anticipated by fans, who are hoping to see them achieve great things together at the Paris Olympics.
Nadal’s return to competition this year has been met with cautious optimism, as he navigates his way back from injury and works towards his goal of playing at the Paris Olympics. His potential partnership with Alcaraz adds an exciting dynamic to his comeback, as fans eagerly anticipate the prospect of seeing the two Spaniards team up on the court. As Nadal and Alcaraz continue to compete at the Madrid Open and other tournaments in the lead-up to the Olympics, the tennis world will be watching closely to see how their partnership develops and whether they can achieve success together on the biggest stage in Paris.
