Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz’s highly-anticipated Olympic pairing began with a significant victory in the men’s doubles event. The Spanish duo triumphed over Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez, the sixth seeds from Argentina, with a final score of 7-6 (7-4) 6-4. This compelling win took place in front of a fervent audience at Court Philippe Chatrier in Paris.
The partnership between Nadal and Alcaraz is particularly poignant due to the latter’s admiration for Nadal since his early years, and it comes at a time when Nadal’s upcoming retirements looms large. When queried about his potential retirement post the Games, Nadal clarified, “No, I never said that. It has been an unforgettable day, following an unforgettable day yesterday [carrying the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony]. I’m enjoying every single moment and having the best experience possible.”
Carlos Alcaraz, often touted as the heir to Nadal’s legacy, has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis, clinching his first French Open title in June and defending his Wimbledon crown just a fortnight ago. Describing the experience of playing alongside his compatriot as a “beautiful moment,” Alcaraz added, “I mean Rafa, what can I say about Rafa? He plays an unbelievable game in singles, everybody knows that. But he plays really good tennis in doubles as well, and that was wild. So it’s easy playing with him, honestly, but dealing with the nerves was difficult.”
Nadal’s prowess in doubles, as evidenced by his Olympic silver in Rio in 2016, significantly contributed to their success. Although Alcaraz required more time to adjust to the demands of doubles play, the pair, affectionately referred to as ‘Nadalcaraz’, showcased their resilience by staging comebacks from a break down in both sets, eventually securing their spot in the second round.
The victory was sealed with a deft touch at the net from Alcaraz, prompting celebratory shouts of “vamos!” and an embrace between the duo, who then shared the joy with fans in the stands by sending spare balls flying out. The enthusiastic crowd, adorned with Spanish flags, provided unwavering support, adding to the electric atmosphere. Despite this fervor, even they were momentarily eclipsed by the cheer that reverberated following France’s gold win in the rugby sevens, reflecting the vibrant and diverse nature of the Olympic stage.
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