"It was harder to accept than the Davis Cup in Malaga," Alcaraz reflects on his doubles experience with Nadal at the Paris Olympic Games

In 2024, during the Paris Olympic Games, Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal had competed in singles, but were also entered in the doubles tournament. The two Spaniards were beaten in the quarter-finals. The world number one looks back on this experience of spending time on the court on the same side as his idol.

By Adrien Guyot

le 22/11/2025 à 11h56

Alcaraz Nadal

Silver medalist in singles at the Paris Olympic Games last year, Carlos Alcaraz was not so far from winning gold, but he stumbled in two tie-breaks against Novak Djokovic. Also present in the doubles draw, he competed in the tournament with Rafael Nadal.

The two Spaniards won their first two matches, against the Argentines Gonzalez/Molteni and against the Dutch Griekspoor/Koolhof, before losing in the quarter-finals to Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram (6-2, 6-4). The current world number one looked back on this experience with the king of clay.

"It was very difficult, but it was also very sad at the same time. I gave my best in singles, but I also had to play doubles alongside Rafa (Nadal). I feel responsible for not being able to go further and fight for a medal for him.

It was a very complicated moment to experience. Losing the doubles match with Rafa at the Olympic Games was harder to accept than the Davis Cup in Malaga (Nadal had played the last tournament of his career during the Final 8 in 2024). After the match, I was really depressed," Alcaraz stated for Tennis World USA.