Nadal could miss Olympic singles after dream team win in Alcaraz

Paris (AFP) – Rafael Nadal said on Saturday he did not know whether he would play in the singles at the Olympic Games in Paris because he injured his thigh in training.

Published in: 27/07/2024 – 21:07Modified: 27/07/2024 – 22:26

2 min

On Sunday, Nadal will face Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in the first round, and a victory will be his 60th career match against his arch-rival Novak Djokovic.

“I don’t know what will happen, I don’t know if I’ll play tomorrow or not,” said the 38-year-old Spaniard, who is at his farewell Olympics and also plays in the men’s doubles.

“I’ll talk to my guys and make the smartest decision I can to give myself the best chance of bringing home a medal, so let’s see.”

Nadal, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, teamed up with Carlos Alcaraz for the first time to beat Argentines Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in front of a packed, enthusiastic crowd on the roof of the Philippe Chatrier Court.

Nadal, the singles gold medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the doubles title winner in Rio four years later, took to the court with a bandage wrapped around his right thigh.

The Olympics are only his seventh tournament in 2024, in which he has also struggled with a hip injury and his singles ranking has dropped to 161.

“Sometimes more is not always more, sometimes more is less,” Nadal added, referring to the decision he faced.

“I’m just enjoying the moment playing doubles with Carlos,” added Nadal, who took part in the opening ceremony on Friday as an Olympic torch bearer.

“It was an unforgettable day for me today and an unforgettable day yesterday. I am enjoying every moment, having the best possible experience.”

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

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

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.

The key factor was Nadal’s greater experience, who quickly regained his balance and whose reflexes at the net were incredibly sharp.

Alcaraz and Nadal won three set points in the tiebreak, with Nadal’s precise backhand down the line securing the 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.