"They can't walk around without being stopped": Tommy Paul highlights Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz's popularity amid Paris Olympics

America’s tennis star Tommy Paul has revealed the popularity enjoyed by Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics. The mega-event, which begins on Friday, will see thousands of top athletes from all over the world showcase their talent to secure the ultimate prize.

In the men’s doubles category, one pair that will be the centre of attraction will be Spain’s Nadal and Alcaraz. Both are already regarded as the favourites to win a medal for their country in the event. Paul, who is representing Team USA at the mega-event, was recently quoted in a report where he explained how difficult it has been for both of them to go around in the Olympic Village, where they have been stopped by other athletes who ‘look up to them’.

"It's amazing to see them in the building and see them with all the other athletes,” he said. “It's amazing how much the other athletes look up to them. They can't walk around without being stopped. Like I said, they're an electric duo, and it's going to be brilliant to watch."

Nadal is often regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men’s tennis in the Open era in the singles category after having won 22 Grand Slam titles. Fourteen of those triumphs came at Roland Garros, which is why he is also known as the ‘King of Clay’. Interestingly, this year’s tennis event will also be played at Roland Garros, where Nadal has been extremely popular.

On the other hand, Alcaraz has already been regarded as one of the best players currently playing in men’s tennis alongside Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. The 21-year-old recently lifted the French Open for the first time in his career as he defeated Germany’s Alexander Zverev with a score of 6–3, 2–6, 5–7, 6–1, 6–2.