"Don't think we have time to prepare with Rafael Nadal" - Carlos Alcaraz on Paris Olympics 2024 doubles hopes with compatriot
Carlos Alcaraz opined that there isn't enough time for him to prepare alongside Rafael Nadal for playing doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The recently-crowned French Open champion cited his jam-packed schedule, in the buildup to the Olympics, as the reason for believing that he and Nadal will not be able to practice as much as they would have ideally liked to.
Alcaraz needed five sets to recover from a two-sets-to-one deficit against Alexander Zverev in the French Open men's singles final. However, now that he has added the prestigious Coupe de Mousquetaires to his trophy cabinet, he must start preparing for the grasscourt season.
The Spaniard will be hopeful of mounting a successful Wimbledon title defense. He will gain valuable match time ahead of the Wimbledon Championships at the Cinch Championships at The Queen's Club. Alcaraz won the ATP 500 event last year with a straightforward 6-4, 6-4 win over Alex de Minaur.
Following his French Open title triumph, Alcaraz sat down for an interview with Radio Marca, where he was asked if he would be playing doubles with Nadal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Both Spaniards have teased the prospect on multiple occasions in the recent past.
In his response, the World No. 2 said that his participation at the Cinch Championships followed by the Wimbledon Championships will affect his practice with the former World No. 1.
"Well, in principle my calendar, now, is Queens, Wimbledon, and the Olympic Games. I don't think we have time to prepare for the doubles with Nadal," Alcaraz said.
However, Alcaraz was positive about adapting to the circumstances. The 21-year-old was confident that Nadal too, can adapt, as he cited the veteran's achievements in the past editions of the Olympics. Nadal won the Olympic Gold in singles in 2008 and repeated the feat in doubles in 2016 (partnering Marc Lopez).
"Rafa knows how to pick up the pace in the doubles. He knows what it is to play and win the gold in both singles and doubles, we will try to adapt in the best way possible ahead of the games," Alcaraz added.
Nadal's last outing was his 2024 French Open first-round loss at the hands of eventual finalist Zverev, which was potentially his final appearance at the claycourt Major.
Carlos Alcaraz spoke about his disbelief after joining Rafael Nadal and other compatriots with maiden French Open triumph
Alcaraz joined a long and illustrious list of French Open-winning Spaniards with his first-ever Roland Garros title triumph. The list includes his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, 14-time winner Nadal, Andres Gimeno, Sergi Bruguera, Carlos Moya, and Albert Costa.
The 21-year-old, after the conclusion of the final against Zverev and the on-court formalities, shared his disbelief at the feat at a press conference.
"Here in Roland Garros, knowing that all the tennis, all the Spanish player who have won this tournament and be able to put my name on that amazing list is something unbelievable, something that I dreamed about, being in this position, since I started playing tennis, since I was five-six years old. So it's a great feeling," Alcaraz said.
The main draw matches at the 2024 Cinch Championships, where Alcaraz is set to play next, will begin on Saturday, June 15, at The Queen's Club.