Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz cautious on Olympic doubles medal prospects

Spaniards to play in 'dream team' as Coco Gauff named as one of flagbearers for US at opening ceremony in Paris

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during training for the Paris 2024 Olympics at Roland Garros Stadium on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Reuters

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz know they will not win anything on reputation alone when they team up at the Paris Olympics but vowed on Wednesday to do everything in their power to overcome a lack of preparation.

Nadal, the 2008 singles gold medallist, will pair up with Alcaraz in a tennis dream team at Roland Garros, looking to also add to the doubles title he won with close friend Marc Lopez at Rio in 2016.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion was keen to play down expectations though ahead of his final Olympics, with Nadal and Alcaraz pairing up for the first time.

“I understand the fascination, the hope of seeing us play together, but let's not think that this translates into success, that's a mistake,” said the 38-year-old at a Spanish team press conference in the Olympic Village.

“At the end of the day, Carlos hasn't played much doubles and I haven't played much in either doubles or singles.

Both Nadal and Alcaraz will also compete in the singles at Roland Garros, where Nadal has won the French Open a record 14 times. Alcaraz captured the title in Paris for the first time last month.

“We trust in the great moment that Carlos is in,” said Nadal. Alcaraz retained his Wimbledon crown 10 days ago, landing his fourth Grand Slam at the age of 21.

“We're going to give our all to try to at least leave with the peace of mind of having done everything possible.”

Alcaraz said it was “a dream” to be able to make his Olympic debut in doubles alongside Nadal but also sounded a note of caution and insisted their star power was no guarantee of a medal.

“What I can say is that we're going to give the best of ourselves, with great enthusiasm, let's hope we can enjoy it and play well,” said Alcaraz, who beat Novak Djokovic for a second year running in the Wimbledon final.

Alcaraz wins French Open final – in pictures

Djokovic, who won singles bronze in 2008, will also be in Paris as the Olympic tennis tournament is held on clay for the first time since Barcelona in 1992.

Nadal, who missed almost all of 2023 with a hip problem and has been limited to six events this year because of a muscle tear and fitness issues, lost 6-3, 6-2 in the Swedish Open final to Portuguese seventh seed Nuno Borges last week.

On the way to the final, he beat fifth seed Cameron Norrie and won tough three-set matches against fourth seed Mariano Navone and Duje Ajdukovic in his next two rounds and was struggling by the end.

After losing to Borges, he said he was unhappy with his fitness levels and performance at the tournament.

“The level was so far from what it should be. Probably the energy too. It has been a long week with long matches,” Nadal said.

Meanwhile, Coco Gauff has been named as the female flag-bearer for the US at the opening ceremony in Paris, US Olympic chiefs said on Wednesday.

The reigning US Open champion will join NBA superstar LeBron James as a flag-bearer for Friday's ceremony along the Seine river.

“I never thought in a million years I would have the honour of carrying the American flag for Team USA in the opening ceremony,” Gauff said in a statement.

“I could not be more proud to lead my teammates with LeBron as we showcase our dedication and passion on the biggest stage there is, at a moment where we can bring athletes and fans together from around the world.”

The 20-year-old Gauff will be competing at the Olympics for the first time after a breakthrough 12 months that saw her claim her maiden Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows last September.

Gauff has risen to a career-high No 2 in the world rankings and also won her first Grand Slam doubles title at the French Open after partnering Katerina Siniakova from the Czech Republic.

She will play in the singles while also partnering Jessica Pegula in doubles when the Olympic tennis begins at Roland Garros on Saturday.

“I mean, for me, the Olympics is a top priority. I would say equal to the Grand Slams. I wouldn’t put it above or below, just because I’ve never played before. This is my first time,” Gauff said earlier this year. “Obviously, I always want to do well, try to get a medal.”