MADRID.- Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz They will form one of Spain's doubles pairs at the Paris Olympic Games, the country's tennis federation announced on Wednesday.
The announcement came three days after Alcaraz, 21, won his first Roland Garros, the third Grand Slam title of his career.
The same courts used for the French Open will be the venue for Olympic tennis. Nadal owns the Roland Garros record with his 14 singles victories.
Alcaraz, who will make his debut in the Olympic Games, is considered Nadal's heir in Spanish tennis and has frequently commented that the Mallorcan tennis player was his childhood hero.
Nadal, 38, already has two Olympic golds – one singles in Beijing 2008 and one in doubles with Marc López in Rio 2016 – in a record that includes 22 majors.
“Rafa and Carlos are going to be playing together in Paris if nothing prevents it,” said the captain of Spain, former tennis player David Ferrer, when announcing the squad list.
Alcaraz has made obtaining a medal for Spain one of his main objectives. He reiterated this after his coronation at Roland Garros over the weekend, highlighting that he prefers gold in Paris 2024 than revalidating his Wimbledon title.
“The Olympic Games are every four years and it is a special tournament where you do not play for yourself, but you do it for a country representing all Spaniards,†said the world number two. “I think that this year I would choose an Olympic gold.†.
Nadal, 38, will also play in singles. He won Olympic gold in singles (2008) and doubles (2016 with Marc López), in addition to his 22 Grand Slam titles.
“Rafa”, who lost to Alexander Zverev in the first round at Roland Garros this year, has indicated that it is very possible that this will be his last year on tour after a series of injuries.
Other members of the delegation:
Pablo Carreño Busta, Alejandro Davidovich and Marcel Granollers complete the Spanish men's team for the Olympic event in the French capital.
Captain Anabel Medina selected Sara Sorribes Tormo (55) and Cristina Bucsa (67) – the Spaniards with the highest ranking – for the women's team. Paula Badosa decided not to compete, since she only has a couple of tournaments left to play with her ranking protected.
