Alcaraz thrilled to play with idol Nadal: 'A unique, unforgettable experience”

Carlos Alcaraz waits for his chance to start the Olympic Games alongside Rafael Nadal. The recent Wimbledon champion will join the 22-time Grand Slam champion in an unprecedented duo fighting for a medal in the doubles draw. They will debut against the Argentine 6th seed pair, Máximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.

Paris 2024 will be the first Olympic experience for Alcaraz, while it will be the third for Nadal, who won gold in singles at Beijing 2008 and also in doubles at Rio with Marc Lopez.

Alcaraz comes fresh from winning the French Open and Wimbledon titles, matching Nadal as one of the few players to achieve the ‘Channel Slam.’ Nadal, meanwhile, remained on clay after a first-round exit at Roland Garros and played his first final in two years last week, finishing as runner-up to Nuno Borges.

Already in Paris and just a day before the tournament starts, Alcaraz spoke to Eurosport about his upcoming performance with Nadal and expressed his pride in joining the former world No. 1 in the Olympic experience: “For me, it's incredible,” Alcaraz said. “Being able to learn from him so closely is a unique, unforgettable experience.

“In these first Games, it was a dream for me to represent my country, but it makes it even more special to be able to play alongside my idol, Rafa Nadal. It is something incredible, something that we are going to enjoy,” the 4-time Grand Slam champion added. “We are going to prepare these days in doubles to achieve a good result and try to qualify for a medal. Personally, I’m going to try to enjoy every moment.”

Although both already know what it is like to be champions at Roland Garros (Nadal 14 times), there is still a question about how they will arrange themselves to play together, especially considering that both excel more from the forehand side than from the backhand: “We have honestly talked about it, but very secondarily,” Alcaraz laughed. “We haven't specifically talked about it, but he most likely plays on his backhand side and I play on my backhand.”

Alcaraz also spoke about Andy Murray’s upcoming retirement, as Murray competes in his final professional event. The Scottish double Olympic gold medalist could only play doubles at Wimbledon due to injury, which also prevents him from playing singles this time, so Murray’s farewell will be in doubles alongside Dan Evans in Paris.

“I think Andy is a great reference for everyone,” Alcaraz explained to Eurosport. “He is a definition of a fighter, of never giving up. Because of everything that has happened, he has had a very difficult and very special career. What has happened with the injuries, with the hip issue for which many doctors told him that he could not play, is incredible.”

“I have a lot of admiration for him. What he has achieved is something to admire, incredible. Maximum respect for him,” Carlitos added.

The 20-year-old Spaniard returns to Roland Garros just two months after winning his first title there. In the final, he defeated Alexander Zverev in a five-set battle to claim his third Grand Slam title: “The truth is that returning to Philippe-Chatrier was a very nice moment,” Alcaraz said. “If I'm honest, I didn't think much about Roland-Garros.

“When entering Chatrier to train, the decoration is different with the rings, the blue. I experienced it differently,” the world No. 3 said. “My feeling is different, but returning to that court, obviously you don't forget that it is Roland-Garros and it is very nice and special to train and play on that court.

“For me, being in the village is special, it is a dream to be surrounded by other athletes, from other disciplines, to see a little and learn about those sports is also very nice,” Alcaraz added about his stay in the Olympic village, where he has become one of the most attention-grabbing stars among athletes from different disciplines. “I didn't expect so much and I appreciate the love and respect they have for me.”