Carlos Alcaraz’s journey at the Paris Olympics took a disappointing turn yesterday when he and his legendary partner, Rafael Nadal, were defeated in doubles by the American duo of Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek. Playing on the iconic Philippe Chatrier court, the Spanish duo hoped to move one step closer to an Olympic medal, but the Americans’ experience and skill in doubles proved decisive. Despite their best efforts to shake the confidence of their opponents, Alcaraz and Nadal were ultimately outmatched, ending their Olympic dream.
The loss is particularly bittersweet for Alcaraz, who idolizes Nadal and cherished the chance to share the court with him in what could be Nadal’s final Olympics. Reflecting on the experience, Alcaraz admitted his disappointment at missing out on a medal but was grateful for the memories created with his mentor. “I am a little disappointed by the fact that we will not continue competing together, that this beautiful story has ended here,” Alcaraz shared. “It has been a wonderful experience with unforgettable moments. My childhood dream of playing with Rafa, of learning from him closely, has come true. We will try to focus on the positive things, and the truth is that it has been a wonderful experience.”
After the match, the two discussed what went wrong on the court. Alcaraz admitted that doubles strategy can be challenging, particularly when one is more accustomed to the singles format. “We talked a little about the match, about what we did wrong and what we should have done. In the end, we are not used to playing doubles, and we were very aware of our opponents. When you don’t focus on your game and instead worry about your opponents’ positions and movements, doubts begin to creep in,” he explained.
Now, Alcaraz must put this setback behind him and shift his focus to the singles competition, where he is set to face American Tommy Paul. The upcoming match promises to be a challenging encounter, as Paul has been enjoying a stellar season and has significantly improved his game on various surfaces. Alcaraz and Paul last faced each other at Wimbledon earlier this year, where Alcaraz emerged victorious in four sets after a challenging start. Paul is known for his agility and versatility, attributes that can trouble Alcaraz if he does not maintain his focus throughout the match.
The quarterfinal showdown is scheduled to take place on Philippe Chatrier, a setting that Alcaraz finds both inspiring and demanding. However, the timing of the match raised questions for Alcaraz. Speaking about his early afternoon slot, he remarked, “You have to accept things as they come. I don’t know why they gave me that time; I don’t know if it’s because there’s someone who has to play two matches.”
Although disappointed with the outcome in doubles, Alcaraz is determined to bring his best game in singles, particularly given his recent success on clay. The Spaniard’s confidence on this surface is undeniable; he captured his second French Open title earlier this year, solidifying his reputation as one of the top clay-court players. With his eyes on Olympic glory, Alcaraz is prepared to push himself further, though he acknowledges that matches played in a best-of-three sets format allow less room for error than Grand Slam events.
The tennis world is already speculating about who might emerge victorious in the Paris Olympics. According to tennis icon Boris Becker, Novak Djokovic is the top favorite. “Before the tournament started, I put Novak Djokovic as the favourite. He’s won every other title. That was a big win for him, so he must feel good about his chances. But then you still have Alcaraz. Novak is exceptional. He’s incredibly fit at 37, and he takes great care of himself. His diet and lifestyle are entirely focused on tennis, which is why he’s still in such good form. But he is 37, so we have to keep that in mind.”
While Djokovic may have the edge due to his experience and unwavering focus, Alcaraz is regarded as the “king of men’s tennis” despite Jannik Sinner currently holding the No. 1 spot in the rankings. Sinner, unfortunately, had to withdraw from the Paris Olympics due to tonsillitis but is expected to return to competition soon at the Montreal Masters. Tennis legend Stan Smith recently weighed in on the rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner, noting their unique strengths and areas for improvement. “In my opinion, both are very good players. Sinner has already improved his serve significantly, and he also has the chance to refine his volleying skills. As for Carlos, he occasionally has lapses in focus, which can be costly.”
Smith emphasized the physical attributes that make Alcaraz a standout player, including his speed, strength, and variety of shots. “Carlos stands out for his speed, physical strength, and variety of shots. Sinner also has a solid skill set, having already won a Grand Slam and is ranked No. 1 in the world. They represent both the present and the future of tennis and will establish a lasting rivalry. I am interested in seeing how their game evolves over the years, knowing that they still have room to improve.”
Alcaraz’s performance in Paris could impact his decision to participate in Montreal. For now, however, his primary focus remains on representing Spain with pride in the singles event, hoping to end his Olympic journey on a high note. The next few days will determine if Alcaraz’s Olympic dream can continue in singles, as he faces Paul in what promises to be an intense match, filled with grit, skill, and determination.