Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz beat Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni to secure opening win at Paris Olympics
'Nadalcaraz' showed positive signs in their opening round win at the Paris Olympics.
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Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal in action at the Paris Olympics (via X)
Spanish tennis duo Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal began their doubles journey at the Paris Olympics with a straight-set win over Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni, 7-6, 6-4. It is Alcaraz’s first Olympic event and Nadal’s fourth.
It was a nervous start for the World No. 3 as he got broken in the opening game. However, he had the experience of the two-time Olympic gold medalist alongside him to calm him down. The duo eventually steadied the ship and secured an impressive opening-round win.
Alcaraz and Nadal were getting into their opponents’ service games comfortably in the opening set but couldn’t seal the deal. However, they played a fantastic tiebreak, ensuring the Argentine duo covered every part of the court. Nadal sealed the first set with a backhand return winner.
In the second set, Gonzalez and Molteni took a 3-0 lead initially. However, Nadal and Alcaraz rallied back to make it 4-4. Eventually, they got the break in the ninth game and served it out with a volley-winner from the World No. 3. Next up for the Spanish pair is either the Dutchmen Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof or the Hungarians Marton Fucsovics and Fabian Marozsan.
Rafael Nadal unlikely to compete in men’s singles draw
Rafael Nadal is playing his last Olympic games in Paris this year. However, it looks increasingly likely that the former World No.1 may not compete in the singles draw.
Coming on for his doubles match with Carlos Alcaraz, the Spaniard was wearing a bandage on his thigh. However, he looked okay in his movement and did not show any signs of weakness.
But the big question is about competing in singles and doubles consistently at the age of 38. Tennis fans already saw the effects of such a schedule for Nadal at Bastad last week when the left-hander had to pull out from doubles to preserve energy for his singles final. Nadal was playing doubles with Casper Ruud.
If the 22-time Grand Slam champion doesn’t compete in the singles draw, the tennis world will miss the much-anticipated second-round match between Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The duo was confirmed to be playing in the second round after the draw was held on Thursday.
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Fahad Hamid
(660 Articles Published)