Alcaraz and Nadal, finally together, now impose themselves again at Roland Garros

“I understand the morbidity and excitement to see us playing together but that doesn’t mean success. Thinking about that is a mistake. Carlos He hasn’t played a lot of doubles and I haven’t played a lot of doubles or a lot of singles. Rafael Nadal He tempers the euphoria, but his modesty doesn’t dampen the illusion unleashed on the tennis world.

Few things have generated more expectations Paris 2024 than the performance of Nadal and Alcaraz. What the merger will produce, the virtues of one of the best players of all time and the fresh air that the Murcian emergence has given to sport, especially tennis. The 38-year-old legend and the 21-year-old who are on their way to becoming one with the past and the present, and the present and the future.

There is no better scenario for a partnership of that magnitude. Roland Garroswhere Nadal reigned for so long, fourteen-time champion, and Carlos Alcaraz, the last to invade that throne, current king, a few weeks ago, in this 2024 edition.

And finally together on the track. In the absence of the start of the competition, before they formed a team as contenders for the podium in the Spanish team, Nadal and Alcaraz were seen together, racket in hand. First one in front of the other. Then, a few hours later, as members of one of the Spanish doubles team. The long-awaited moment.

The face to face of the two in the court is not new. After all, the three of them are now holding hands. Two on earth, in the Caja Mágica in Madrid, with a victory for each. And another on concrete, in Indian Wells. Rafa won.

But what is unprecedented is seeing them both in the same direction, on the same team. In Paris. On the second day of training for the Spanish expedition to the Games, they both worked out together, they met on the track.

In the morning session, after completing the official presentation of the tennis team at Olympic Village, they went to Roland Garros to exercise. On one side of the center court Philippe Chatrier Rafael Nadal; and on the other side of the network, Carlos Alcaraz. They exchanged blows watched by Carlos Moyacoach of the Balearic Islands, and David Ferrerthe Spanish coach.

They completed the training in two hours. They then left the venue’s main court with women’s tennis number one Iga Swiatek and Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, who worked out together.

But the relevant matter comes later. Early in the morning, on court 1 of Roland Garros, smaller, more secluded and with fewer stands, Nadal and Alcaraz jumped onto the court together. On the opposite side, another Olympic duet, formed by Marcel Granollersworld number one in doubles, and Pablo Carrenoindividual bronze at Tokyo 2020 who in this edition will only compete in the event in pairs.

It was an intense session. He was attacked by a beautiful environment. Nadal and Alcaraz looking for ties. They don’t have time to practice double. The Spaniard played two rounds in Bastad with Casper Ruud, but withdrew from the tournament to focus on the individual. The Murcian spent more time without playing. They form a team. Encouragement and greeting from each other, reciprocity, encouraging.

For the first time, one of the most anticipated moments at the Games. Early afternoon. Nadal and Alcaraz on the same side, in their first training session as a team with the goal set on the podium at the Olympic Games. In impact, in baggage, there is nothing like them. Twenty-six Grand Slams between them.

“These are the last Games, yes. For me all the Olympic Games have been special. I have missed the Tokyo 2020 and London 2012 because of the injury and that hurt me more than losing any Grand Slam because these are unique experiences that have no equal and you experience Grand Slams every year. With Rio 2016, it seems impossible to be here now. And I’m happy about it,” Nadal said at the presentation of the Spanish tennis team at Paris 2024.

“We have not been able to prepare together for a tournament like this, with other great couples. I trust Carlos’ good moment and also that with what he has done in recent weeks he will help this work in a individual and collective level. I hope to practice as much as possible to arrive with more or less clear ideas and then we will see,” Nadal assumed.

“Playing with him is a dream, but it does not mean that it will show success,” Alcaraz stressed. “Everyone thinks that there will be a medal just because of the name, but this is a difficult but exciting path for me. I’m going to enjoy it to the fullest, it is going to be a unique experience for me, ” said the Murcian.

“I only have a little experience in doubles, I hope I can quickly adjust to playing doubles, I will give my best. I like doubles, but since singles is my priority, I haven’t been able to play many tournaments,” he added.

The Spanish team will train again on Thursday, the day of the draw and the configuration of the draw. Nadal has scheduled time with German Alexander Zverev; Alcaraz with Stanislas Wawrinka.