PARIS, France: Rafael Nadal remains undecided about entering the singles tournament in Paris as he focuses on maximizing his chances of securing a medal. This consideration comes after he and Carlos Alcaraz triumphed in their first Olympic doubles match, defeating Argentine sixth seeds Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 7-6(4) 6-4.
Dubbed “Nadalcaraz,” the duo displayed impressive tennis skills, thrilling the packed evening crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier. Nadal, despite some injury concerns, looked in top form, showcasing his prowess with a fierce backhand winner to seal the opening set.
The 38-year-old Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion, is weighing his options and might prioritize doubles over singles to increase Spain’s chances of winning medals. “We are going to make the decisions that we think are most appropriate as a team to try to have the best chances of bringing medals home for the Spanish team,” Nadal said, indicating that his participation in singles is still uncertain.
Alcaraz, who recently won the French Open and Wimbledon titles, expressed his admiration for Nadal and enjoyed playing alongside his idol. “His energy, the way that he handled the difficult moments was unbelievable. And obviously I tried to learn from him,” Alcaraz remarked.
Although the Spanish pair initially struggled with unforced errors, especially in the first set, they managed to find their rhythm. The Argentines capitalized on these mistakes to take a 3-0 lead in the second set, but Nadal and Alcaraz fought back, displaying more precise volleys and powerful shots. The crowd’s support intensified as Nadal smashed to bring up match point, and Alcaraz’s volley sealed their victory, prompting a standing ovation.
Looking ahead, Nadal and Alcaraz will face the winners of the postponed match between the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof, and Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics and Fabian Marozsan.
