Spain's Olympic Tennis Quest: Nadal and Alcaraz Lead the Charge
As the anticipation builds for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Spanish tennis roster is taking shape with some of the biggest names in the sport. Spanish coach David Ferrer has announced the inclusion of former world number one Rafael Nadal and the current World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, who clinched the title at Roland Garros. These top-tier players are eager to reclaim a gold medal for Spain, an achievement they last celebrated at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics.
Nadal, a veteran with 22 Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals, will team up in doubles with the young sensation Alcaraz, marking their first partnership in this event. Alongside them, the Spanish squad will feature Pablo Carreño, Alejandro Davidovich, and the doubles specialist Marcel Granollers, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the world in doubles. Granollers, who recently won the Masters 1000 in Rome, will solely focus on the pairs’ matches.
Coach Ferrer, a three-time Davis Cup champion but yet to secure an Olympic medal as a player, expressed optimistic sentiments: 'I couldn't win a medal as a player, I hope to do so as captain. We have the confidence that there can be more than one medal.' The Royal Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) is set to announce the final list for Paris 2024 on July 4, coinciding with the Wimbledon tournament.
Women's Tennis Team: Sorribes Leads Without Badosa
On the women's side, head coach Anabel Medina revealed that Sara Sorribes and Cristina Bucsa will represent Spain in both individual and doubles categories. Both players bring chemistry and synergy, having recently triumphed at the Mutua Madrid Open. However, the notable absence of Paula Badosa is due to her current position on the WTA table and her decision to save her protected ranking options for other tournaments.
Sorribes and Bucsa, ranked 55th and 67th respectively in the WTA standings, look forward to leaving a mark at the Paris Games. 'Paula would have liked to be there, but she couldn't enter due to her current ranking,' Medina explained. Despite these challenges, the Spanish women's team remains hopeful and prepared to perform at their best in Paris.
- Nadal's participation in Paris marks his fourth Olympic appearance, having competed in **Athens 2004**, **Beijing 2008**, and Rio de Janeiro 2016. In addition to his impressive record, his partnership with Alcaraz, the recent winner of the Paris Open, promises to be a highlight of the tennis events at the Olympics.
- Alcaraz, who successfully defended his Wimbledon title last year against Novak Djokovic, underscores the importance of the Olympics: 'They are every four years and it is a special tournament in which you do not play by yourself, but for an entire country. This year, I would choose an Olympic gold above all.'
