Olympic Moment of the Day: Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, the New Favorite Tennis Duo

Roland Garros, Paris
CNN
—

After all these years, Rafael Nadal continues to find new ways to win matches on his favorite tennis court.

His last victory on French clay came alongside Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics. Together they formed a dream pair – two tickets for the price of one for tennis fans and a moment that could only happen at the Olympics.

For almost two hours on Court Philippe-Chatrier – site of Nadal’s 14 French Open titles and his first Alcaraz just last month – the crowd paid tribute to ‘Nadalcaraz’, providing wild support as the Spanish duo beat Argentines Máximo González and Andrés Molteni 7-6(7-4) 6-4.

Saturday’s match was a rare opportunity to see two of the biggest names in tennis, at opposite ends of their careers, on the same side of the net: Nadal with all the experience and brilliance of 22 Grand Slam titles, and Alcaraz with his blossoming career and dynamic style of play.

The win over two seasoned doubles players was no easy feat, likely a sign of the limited time Nadal and Alcaraz have spent training and playing together. Nevertheless, it was a fun introduction to tennis’ new favorite duo.

“It was an emotional night, an electrifying night, an incredible crowd,” Nadal told reporters. “Playing with Carlos on that court was something special. We’re just super happy for the win, that it gave us a chance to continue.”

Nadal was already a headline act at this year’s Olympics, having been chosen as one of the final torchbearers at the opening ceremony on Friday night.

Less than 24 hours later, he was on the court, putting on a different kind of show alongside Alcaraz, showing sharpness and skill at the net. The Philippe-Chatrier crowd chanted his name throughout the match, with one of the loudest roars coming when he celebrated winning a match point by pumping the ball into the stands.

“Yesterday was also an incredibly emotional moment for me and I can’t thank Paris and France enough for this honor,” Nadal said. “The emotions are still very high, so just enjoy every moment.”

The teams traded breaks of serve early in Saturday’s match before locking up a tight and long first set. It wasn’t until the middle of the first-set tie-break, after chants of “allez Les Blues” to announce that France had won rugby sevens gold, that Nadal and Alcaraz took the lead.

Three straight points gave them a 6-3 lead and Nadal took advantage of the opportunity to clinch the set with a powerful backhand down the line.

That advantage seemed to be melting away when González and Molteni broke Nadal’s serve to take a 3-0 lead, but the Spaniards responded in style, winning the next 12 points in a row to tie the set at 3-3.

The next break came two games later, with Alcaraz winning it with a cross backhand before Nadal could close out the match on his serve.

Alcaraz, 21, who plays alongside one of his childhood idols, has been in incredible form, winning titles at the French Open and Wimbledon in the past two months. He opened his Olympic singles campaign by beating Lebanese Hady Habib 6-3 6-1 earlier on Saturday.

It was his first taste of Olympic competition and Nadal is hoping to reclaim the two gold medals he has previously won – in singles in 2008 and doubles in 2016. Now, as he enters the final phase of his career, it is as important for the 38-year-old to enjoy the experience as it is to win titles.

His star partnership with Alcaraz lasted just a few weeks, while González and Molteni, who have played and won titles together numerous times in their long careers, tested him sorely early on.

“You see Rafa with his experience and charisma,” Nadal’s coach, Carlos Moyá, said before Saturday’s match. “And then you see Carlos, a bit like Rafa at 20 or 21, very expressive and effusive… let’s hope they can continue because it’s a partnership that tennis fans can fall in love with.”

Nadal is set to play Hungarian Márton Fucsovics on Sunday despite uncertainty over whether he will enter the singles draw. If he does, he could face Novak Djokovic in the second round and was quick to respond when asked if he was ready for one last dance with his great rival.

“Who said the last dance?” he fired back. And who can blame him when he keeps winning on his favorite court, to the applause of thousands of fans?