Alcaraz, happy but cautious: "Playing with Rafa is a dream, but it doesn't mean certain success".
This will be one of the great attractions of this 2024 edition of the Olympic Games. The doubles pairing of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal is already attracting worldwide attention and is likely to give, the men's doubles event, extra visibility.
The partnership between the Spanish legend and his designated successor has been rumoured for weeks. And for weeks now, Alcaraz has made no secret of the fact that this is a dream come true.
Questioned at a press conference, the Spanish tennis team's standard-bearer made no secret of his enthusiasm at the idea of sharing the court with his idol.
However, he was also cautious, pointing out that he had little experience of doubles matches.
Speaking at a press conference, he said: "There's no better way to make your Olympic debut than in doubles with Rafa. We're going to give it our best shot and I hope we can have some fun with a good match.
I'm looking forward to competing and seeing us on court. I don't know what to call it, but we're going to give it our best shot and put all our enthusiasm into having fun and making sure that the people at home and those who come to Paris enjoy themselves.
I don't have much experience in doubles and, although I like it, I've never been able to take part in many tournaments because of problems in singles.
Coming back to Roland-Garros is an extra motivation and makes the challenge of adapting well a little easier."
Asked about Spain's medal chances with this doubles, "Carlito" was keen to calm things down: "Playing with Rafa is a dream, but it doesn't mean certain success. We don't win medals for the name. It will be a great experience and we'll have to adapt little by little.
I hope we'll be able to play a lot of matches together here. I'm playing for a whole country and, although the facilities are the same as at Roland-Garros, everything is different.
Rafa has a way of competing, of fighting, of never giving up or giving up a point only to lose it."
