Nadal, Alcaraz win Olympic opening doubles

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Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz brought Roland Garros fans to life as Spain’s dream team began their Olympic doubles campaign with a three-set victory over Argentines Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni on Saturday.

In front of a packed, noisy crowd under the roof of the Philippe Chatrier Court, the pair won 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.

A few hours earlier, as Alcaraz opened the singles competition with a straight-sets victory over Hady Habib, the 21-year-old said playing alongside his compatriot was a “dream come true.”

The duo were greeted with a standing ovation on the same packed Philippe Chatrier Court where Nadal has won 14 French Opens and Alcaraz claimed his first victory just a month ago.

Nadal, who won Olympic singles gold in 2008 and doubles eight years later in Rio, had his right thigh bandaged, the legacy of an injury that could end his hopes of playing in singles, where his eternal second-round rival is Novak Djokovic.

Gonzalez and Molteni, seeded sixth, entered the arena to boos following the recent racist row between Argentina and France.

The Spanish pair got off to a terrible start when Alcaraz was broken in the first match. With no doubles tour since 2022, the rust was unsurprising.

Nadal’s greater experience proved crucial, as he broke the ball quickly, and the 38-year-old’s reflexes at the net were incredibly sharp.

Alcaraz and Nadal won three set points in the tie-break, with Nadal’s precise backhand securing the team victory.

Gonzalez and Molteni took a 3-0 lead in the second set, but the Spaniards managed to equalize.

Nadal secured another key break with a powerful backhand return, allowing him and his partner to take a 5-4 lead and give them a chance to serve for the rest of the match.

That honour went to the 22-time Grand Slam champion, with Alcaraz securing the victory by hitting a winning forehand from a crouch at the net.

DJ/JC