"I have to shut up and listen to him," Alcaraz on respect for Nadal ahead of Olympics

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal are gearing up for an exciting partnership at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 next week. The 21-year-old youngster joined Nadal as part of the 'Channel Slam' winners, clinching titles at the French Open and Wimbledon consecutively.

The 22-times Grand Slam champion opted to skip the grass-swing and continue training on clay with the Olympics as his primary focus. The event will be held at Stade Roland Garros, where both players have tasted championship success.

In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Alcaraz discussed his anticipation for the Olympics, where he will be the third seed in the singles draw and team up with Nadal in doubles: “I'm not nervous right now. I'm sure I will be when the time comes closer," the world No. 3 said. "And yes, obviously, he has already experienced this, he already knows what it's like to play in the Olympics, to win gold in both singles and doubles. I'm new, I'm the rookie here, so I have to shut up and listen to him."

Nadal clinched the Olympic gold in 2008 on the hardcourts of the Rio Open after defeating Fernando Gonzalez, just weeks after winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles consecutively for the first time. He repeated the success in 2016, this time in doubles alongside Marc Lopez, securing the gold medal by defeating Romanian pair Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau.

"He has his own things, we have ours," Carlos Alcaraz said about Nadal. "We talk a little bit, but when we're actually at the Games, we will talk more about the doubles and, above all, how we're going to do it."

Rafa Nadal recently expressed his desire to play alongside Alcaraz in his final Olympic Games: "It would be good motivation, another incentive for me to be able to close my Olympic cycle playing with Carlos."

In his interview with Mundo Deportivo, Alcaraz was asked if there is any athlete he would like to take a selfie with during the Olympics, but the Spanish player responded that he hasn't considered it yet: "I haven't thought about that. I'm too shy in that sense. I don't know," he said. "I'll have to see myself in the Olympic Village and see all the athletes and say, 'Oh, I'd like a photo with that person.'"

"I have great respect for all the athletes who have qualified and are representing Spain at the Games," the 4-times Grand Slam champion said. "So whoever wants to take a photo with me, I'd be more than happy to, but I think Rafa will be the main target."