Carlos Alcaraz makes Rafael Nadal ‘worried’ admission as he issues ‘special’ French Open claim
Carlos Alcaraz has admitted he is “worried” about the physical condition of Rafael Nadal as he spoke about the prospect of playing doubles with his great compatriot at the Paris Olympics.
The two-time major champion also declared the French Open is “a super special tournament for Spaniards” because of what Nadal has achieved there and outlined his goal to win Roland Garros “even just once.”
Both Alcaraz and Nadal have expressed their desire to join forces to form a dream Spanish doubles team at this year’s Olympic Games, where the tennis event will run from July 27 to August 4. The tournament will be staged on the clay courts of Stade Roland Garros in Paris.
In an interview with AS in September, Nadal proclaimed: “To play doubles with him (Alcaraz) at the 2024 Olympics? I would like to do so.
“It would be a good motivation, another incentive, for me to be able to close my Olympic career playing with Carlos, with everything he is achieving, with the young people and with the great future he has ahead of him.”
However, Nadal’s ongoing injury issues cast doubt over his participation in any upcoming tournaments, with the former world No 1 having played just one event since January 2023.
Since returning from a long-term hip injury in Brisbane in January of this year, Nadal has withdrawn from four tournaments, including the Monte Carlo Masters.
READ MORE: Rafael Nadal opens up on his injury after latest blow and suggests when he could return
Alcaraz recently discussed Nadal’s physical struggles and addressed the possibility of playing doubles with the 22-time Grand Slam champion at the 2024 Games.
“At the moment, I don’t know anything about his condition, or how he is doing. Obviously, as a Spaniard and a tennis player, I’m worried about that,” said the 20-year-old Spaniard in quotes reported by Tennis Majors.
“Let’s see how he and I get there, in the end there are still four months left. Anything can happen, but I hope it can happen.
“I have seen him a lot on TV. I have grown up watching him play. And any personal experience with him has been incredible.
“I would have loved to share more time with Rafa. I try to enjoy every day that I meet him and cross paths with him, and learn to the maximum.”
The world No 3 also identified winning a French Open title as a major career goal as he assessed his prospects of triumphing at the clay-court Grand Slam for the first time this year.
“Roland Garros is a super special tournament for Spaniards because of what Rafa has achieved and for me it would be amazing to be able to win it, even just once. I’m going to try,” Alcaraz explained.
“I’ve grown and evolved. Two years ago, I was in the quarter-finals; Last year, I played in the semi-finals; Now the goal is to go to the final or be victorious. I arrive on clay with a lot of desire and enthusiasm.”
Alcaraz will face Felix Auger-Aliassime in his opening match at this week’s Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday.
