Carlos Alcaraz picks between winning Wimbledon and gold at Paris Games – ‘It will also deserve its little tattoo’

Carlos Alcaraz admits choosing between successfully defending his Wimbledon crown this year and winning gold for Spain at the Paris Olympics is “complicated”.

There is a lot on the spell for tennis players over the next two months as Wimbledon gets underway on July 1 before they return to clay to prepare for the 2024 Paris Games with the tournament running from July 27 to August 4 at Roland Garros.

After winning the French Open on Sunday, Alcaraz now finds himself in the unique position of being able to complete the Channel Slam (win back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon titles) with only five other male players able to complete the feat in the Open Era.

There won’t be much time to rest after Wimbledon as players will have one week to prepare for the Paris Olympics.

Following clay-court Grand Slam success, the Spaniard was asked which of Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics is higher on his list of priorities this year and replied: “It is complicated, but the Games are held every four years and it is a special tournament because it is not just for you because you represent a whole country, all Spaniards.

“This year I would choose an Olympic gold.”

Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic skips SW19, emotional Andy Murray farewell lead our ATP grass court season predictions

Rafael Nadal: Players who could miss out on the Olympics if the tennis great plays

Rafael Nadal’s Olympics participation labelled an ‘injustice’ by fellow Spanish player

Alcaraz will represent Spain at the Olympics for the first time in his career and he is set to play both singles and doubles, but it is especially the doubles that will attract a lot of attention as he is expected to team up with the great Rafael Nadal.

With the French Open title in the bag, there will no doubt be a lot of happy memories when he returns to Roland Garros later in the year.

“When I return to this stadium at the end of July, I will probably have some cool flashbacks that will come to mind,” he told L’Équipe.

“It will be a very special tournament, my first Olympics just after winning my first Roland [Garros title]. Fighting for a gold medal for my country, playing doubles with my idol, Rafael Nadal, are things that I will only believe after experiencing them.”

After winning his maiden Grand Slam at the 2022 US Open, Alcaraz got a tattoo of the day on which he won the trophy on the back of his elbow.

Success in Paris could see him add to the artwork on his body.

“If I ever bring back gold from Paris, in singles or doubles, it will also deserve its little tattoo,” he added.