Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz prepare together for their assault on Paris 2024 | ATP Tour

Paris Olympics

Nadal and Alcaraz prepare together their assault on Paris 2024

The two Spaniards shared training this Wednesday

July 24, 2024

The image is incredible, and the adjective probably falls short. After mid-morning on Wednesday, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz go out onto the Philippe Chatrier court at Roland Garros to share a high-voltage training session.

Under the orders of David Ferrer, captain of the Spanish team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the two tennis players continue with their preparations while fifty curious onlookers attend a spectacle as unusual (they had only trained together once, in Indian Wells 2022) as it is incredible.

During the first session, the Mallorcan, 14-time champion of the Mousquetaires Cup, and the Murcian, who won Roland Garros for the first time a few months ago, work on their individual paths. In the afternoon, after lunch, they return to work on the challenge that the entire world of sport has pending: in Paris, Nadal and Alcaraz will form a doubles pair to represent Spain, building a duo that has captured all the attention even before its debut.

“The Olympic Games are the most important event,” Nadal said. “We will strive to go into the tournament calmly, having tried to go as far as possible. We have not been able to prepare like other couples, but we trust in Carlos’ great form. I hope that this past week, in which I have spent a lot of time on the court, will help me physically raise my level so that this works.”

“I am looking forward to the Games with great enthusiasm,” Alcaraz continued. “I have less experience, but I hope to adapt quickly to doubles. For me, it is a dream to play with Rafa. The road is difficult, but exciting. I am going to enjoy it to the fullest. We hope to play many matches together. It will be a memory that will stay with me.”

The preparations for both have been completely different. While Alcaraz left London on Monday after winning Wimbledon and had two days off before returning to training on clay in Murcia, Nadal played the tournament in Bastad (he had not played since Roland Garros) and lost in the final before heading to Paris again.

Thus, and despite never having played together as a doubles pair, both will join forces from next Saturday to try to win a medal for Spain.

“We haven’t seen each other much recently, but it’s an opportunity to get along and learn from these new generations,” said Nadal. “Being with him rejuvenates you and makes you remember when you were 20 years old. It’s nice to see him live his first Olympic Games knowing that he is one of the most sought-after players, something he does phenomenally. He shows that he is a great professional in the way he looks after his teammates, and that is the legacy that you leave to the sport and to those teammates. Always with a smile and open to looking after everyone. It’s good to have top role models like him,” Nadal concluded.

“I have everything to learn from Rafa,” Alcaraz said. “The way he competes, how he fights on the court, how he never gives up or gives up a point… His ability to turn things around is admirable and I always try to follow his example on and off the court,” continued the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “His humility, with everything he has achieved, is something to admire.”

These words of praise, which both men exchanged, continued throughout the day on Wednesday, with good vibes ruling the Spanish team’s insides and constant jokes (“it’s not worth it for you to backfoot him,” Carlos Moyà told Alcaraz after the 21-year-old won a point like that) as a prelude to the battle that is coming in Paris.