Paris 2024 Olympics: Nadal and Alcaraz triumph in doubles

Rafael Nadal joined forces with Carlos Alcaraz for the first time, and Spain’s so-called Dream Team opened the Olympic doubles competition by defeating Argentines Maximo Gonzales and Andres Molteni 7-6(4), 6-4 on Saturday.

“Nadalcaraz”, as the Spaniards call themselves, played spectacular tennis, and in the evening the crowd of fans on Philippe Chatrier’s court invaded their court with thunderous applause.

Despite injury concerns, the 38-year-old Nadal looked excellent, with the 14-time French Open champion sealing victory in the first set with a powerful backhand winner.

Alcaraz, this year’s winner of the French Open and Wimbledon and a new force in men’s tennis, seemed to be enjoying life alongside his idol, managing to tip the balance in his opponent’s favor and score a winning backhand to give the Spaniards a break of serve at 4-4 in the second set.

Nadal hit the match point in the next game, with the crowd chanting “Rafa, Rafa”, and the Spaniards sealed the win with a volley from Alcaraz. The crowd rose as one and gave the duo a standing ovation.