“It has been very special,” Carlos Alcaraz shares heartwarming tribute to Rafael Nadal for a remarkable experience as doubles partner after defeat at the Paris Olympics

Alcaraz returns to action on Thursday (August 1) in men's singles against Tommy Paul.

“It has been very special,” Carlos Alcaraz shares heartwarming tribute to Rafael Nadal for a remarkable experience as doubles partner after defeat at the Paris Olympics

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal (via Imago)

World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz has penned an emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal for a remarkable experience in the men’s doubles field. The dynamic Spanish duo, referred to as ‘Nadalcaraz,’ lost in the quarterfinals to the USA’s Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Spanish ace was competing in men’s doubles of this magnitude for the first time in his career. Despite the defeat, Alcaraz will take many lessons from this week to the drawing board.

Thank you very much Rafa for this week and for sharing the track with me playing for ?? ! It couldn't be today, but I'm taking a lot of things with me for the future! It has been very special! (Heart emoji) @RafaelNadal.
Carlos Alcaraz tweeted

The pairing of Nadal and Alcaraz for the Paris Olympics became official in the first week of June. Many referred to this pairing as the most hyped in tennis history, alongside Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka, who won the Olympic doubles gold medal in Beijing in 2008.

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Despite the defeat, tennis fans can hope to see ‘Nadalcaraz’ again in the future. Considering the Spanish duo will be representing Team Europe at the Laver Cup, they might see the second episode of this doubles pair in Berlin in September.

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Carlos Alcaraz may not have won an Olympic gold medal with Rafael Nadal in men’s doubles, but he hopes to emulate ‘The King of Clay’ at the Paris Olympics in another way. Alcaraz is aiming to become the first player since Nadal to win Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the Olympic singles gold medal in the same year.

Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Imago)

Alcaraz may have lost in the men’s doubles, but his Paris Olympics journey is far from over. The right-hander will be in action in the afternoon session against Tommy Paul from the USA in the men’s singles quarterfinal.

This match is a repeat of this year’s Wimbledon quarterfinal, which Alcaraz won in four sets. The Spaniard holds a 3-2 edge in their head-to-head meetings, with Paul winning both of his matches at the National Bank Open in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Moreover, the American, unlike Alcaraz, is in the Olympic men’s doubles draw. He is teaming up with Taylor Fritz later on Thursday to face the miracle duo of Dan Evans and Andy Murray, who have saved a combined seven match points in their two matches so far.

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