Rafael Nadal ‘convinced’ about Carlos Alcaraz’s level ahead of blockbuster Olympic partnership
Rafael Nadal has revealed he is “convinced” that Carlos Alcaraz will be at a “very good level” on court as the pair gear up for their blockbuster partnership at Paris 2024.
The Spanish duo set tongues wagging earlier this season when both parties confirmed their interest in teaming up at the Olympic Games – and the partnership was made official when the Spanish team was announced last month.
Alcaraz comes into Paris 2024 fresh off his Wimbledon victory, a second straight title at the All England Club – and a second consecutive major after Roland Garros triumph.
Meanwhile, Nadal opted to skip action on the grass this season to prioritise the Olympic Games, held at the venue where he won 14 French Open crowns.
The Spaniard was in action last week at the Swedish Open in Bastad, a draining week that saw him reach a 131st career final – but fall rather tamely to Nuno Borges.
Speaking to Punto de Break, the 38-year-old admitted he would have to “work hard” to improve on his Bastad performances.
But he also admitted he had full confidence in his partner heading in.
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“I am very excited to be part of the Olympic team and represent Spain,” he said.
“It is the most important event in sport and I hope to find the energy and train well. I know that if I can produce good tennis in singles, it will also be in doubles – but I have to analyse what happened this week and work hard.
“I am convinced that Carlos Alcaraz is going to be at a very good level because he arrives with confidence.
“We will train together this week.”
The duo are at very different ends of the Olympic spectrum, with Alcaraz making his Games debut – while Nadal is competing for the fourth time, 20 years after his debut in Athens.
After competing in doubles alongside now-coach Carlos Moya in Athens, he then won singles gold at the Beijing 2008 Games, before skipping London 2012.
Nadal then finished an agonising fourth place in the singles at Rio 2016 but struck gold in the doubles alongside Marc Lopez, making him one of the few players to win multiple Olympic titles.
The 38-year-old and Alcaraz have been spotted in the Olympic Village in Paris over the past 24 hours, with several members of Team Spain sharing photos with the two stars on social media.
Alcaraz and Nadal will both begin their singles campaigns on Saturday or Sunday, with the opening round of the men’s doubles also taking place across the weekend.
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