Rafael Nadal has been an inspiration for the current generation to take up the sport and has been an idol for many. One of the players who idolizes and has looked up to him from his childhood is Carlos Alcaraz. For any player in any sport, it would be a dream to pair up with their childhood hero, and it is no different for Alcaraz. What’s more, it could happen on the biggest stage possible, the Paris Olympics, in 2024.
But what seems to threaten this dream of his, is the spate of injuries that is troubling Rafael Nadal. Carlos Alcaraz took a sympathetic view of this fact and has given an update on the state which Rafa is in. He has said that, “Right now Rafa is suffering a lot…”. He added that, he is hoping that the health condition of Rafael Nadal improves, so that he can be fit and ready for the Olympics.
Carlos Alcaraz says playing doubles with Rafa Nadal at the Olympics would be a dream:
“Right now Rafa is suffering a lot. I hope he can return to training & that he can play next year from the beginning, that we have a healthy Rafa, ready for the Games. It would obviously be a… pic.twitter.com/cN0aZMxqRO
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 30, 2023
Rafael Nadal, also has expressed his interest in playing the games with Carlos Alcaraz. In a recent interview, Nadal was quoted ” To play doubles with him at the 2024 Olympics? I would like to do so and it would be good motivation, another incentive, for me to be able to close my Olympic career playing with Carlos…”. But there are few hurdles to address.
The practical difficulties in going for the dream of Carlos Alcaraz
Rafael Nadal told @MovistarPlus he is still UNSURE 2024 will be his final season. 🚨🇪🇸
“If I were to tell you that 2024 will be my last year… who knows. What if suddenly my body recovers, and I feel strong and full of energy to continue? As soon as I know the answer, I will… pic.twitter.com/big8FWSeNY
— Relevant Tennis (@RelevantTennis) September 18, 2023
Though, he had surgeries to fix these issues, the groan within the Spaniard is quite clear. But, Rafa has not lost all his hope, and was optimistic that his body could infact recover in time. Thus, making his swansong to be sweeter.
If this is not enough, there is another obstacle which the 22 time Grand Slam champion could face in his bid to represent his country at the Olympics. It is the ITF, which outrules him from participating in the Olympics, having not represented Spain in the Davis Cup for two years in a row. So, he would need to get an exemption through his tennis federation to do so.
{Credits – Love Tennis, Arab News}
With these practical difficulties in mind , Carlos Alcaraz was quite right in saying that“…It depends on both of us. There are many months left until Paris, many things can happen. I have to be healthy, work hard, & be ready for this tournament. We will see what happens, but it is clear that it would be a dream.”
The Olympics is set to be played at Roland Garros, where Rafa has won an unprecedented 14 times. So, it would be another laurel which Nadal would like to add to his career. But, it seems to be a little distant for now, and a lot of things have to fall in place for “the dream” to happen.
