In 2021, in Tokyo, it was Novak Djokovic, this year, it's Carlos Alcaraz. Winner of four Grand Slams at just 21 years old, “Carlitos” is already a rock star. The native of El-Palmar, Spain, has been taking photos, selfies and meetings at the Olympic village since his arrival at the start of the week.
Alcaraz, who begins his Olympic tournament tomorrow against the Lebanese Hady Habib, decided not to take part in the opening ceremony. Note that he will also play doubles on Saturday evening with Rafael Nadal. “I was very excited to be able to go to the opening ceremony of the Olympics today, but tomorrow I have two matches and it is advisable to rest and be ready. It’s starting,” he wrote on his X account.
The Dutch women's hockey team is training running through the Olympic Village when a myth appears in their path. Suddenly, the players stop and, as if it were a preview of the inaugural parade, they stand in two rows to the left and right of the street and raise their arms forming an arc through which Rafa Nadal passes smiling. The Spanish tennis player is one of the biggest attractions at the athletes' concentration next to the Seine River.
Nadal savors his return to the Olympic Games as a return to his origins, to the modesty of his beginnings, and he enjoys the Villa like a child despite the burdens of his celebrity. And Alcaraz appreciates the fact of playing shoulder to shoulder with someone who has inspired him. The Murcian baptizes the invention: “Nadalcaraz.”
“Every time I have been to a Games, and I say this with my hand on my heart, it has been an unforgettable experience,” explains Nadal, gold in Beijing 2008 in singles and gold in doubles in Rio 2016 with Marc López. He debuted in Athens 2004 partnering with Carlos Moyà, and missed the London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 events due to injury.
Nadal is also no rookie in doubles, a discipline in which he has 140 victories, with 76 defeats, and 11 titles. Alcaraz has only played, according to the ATP, six matches in his career in the duo (three wins and three losses). And both have never met on the same side of the court in an official tournament or in Davis.
Alcaraz accepts the need for an adaptation and praises his partner. “I have to learn everything from Rafa, he is a legend. His way of competing, fighting, never letting go, never giving up a point. And his humility off the court is to be admired. It is a dream to play with him, we are going to give our best,” he says.
Both jump to court number 2 at Roland Garros at four in the afternoon. On the way to the rectangle, Nadal tells some little battle to the young man, who listens attentively. Relaxation ends when you step on the sand. In front of them they have Pablo Carreño and Marcel Granollers.
