Can Carlos Alcaraz still play at the 2024 Paris Olympics after missing the Davis Cup 2023?

Can Carlos Alcaraz still play at the 2024 Paris Olympics after missing the Davis Cup 2023?

Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Tennis Infinity)

Spanish tennis ace Carlos Alcaraz will be a hot prospect for his country at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but only if he gets a chance to participate. While there would not have been any issue had Alcaraz played at the Davis Cup Finals, the 20-year-old missing out on the tournament in Valencia due to fitness concerns has posed a problem around his participation at the multi-sport event next year. 

Alcaraz could not take part in the Davis Cup Finals group-stage match over fitness concerns, and as Spain could not make it to the Final 8 for the knockout stages, the Spaniard cannot take part in the tournament. This means that Alcaraz’s eligibility for the Olympics will be under threat. 

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Notably, the rules of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) require tennis players to represent their country the year before the Olympic event or in that same year to be eligible to take part in the biggest sporting event. While Alcaraz could not do it this year, he can represent Spain next year. However, that too looks almost impossible. 

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Spain is likely to get an invitation to skip the qualifying phase in February and play directly in the group stage in September. In such a scenario, Alcaraz will not be able to represent his country before the Paris Olympics which kicks off in July 2024.

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How can Carlos Alcaraz fulfill ITF’s eligibility criteria for the 2024 Paris Olympics?  

While the odds seem to be stacked against Carlitos Alcaraz in his quest to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, there is still a way the Spaniard can fulfill the ITF’s eligibility criteria for Olympic participation and get an entry into Paris. 

Carlos Alcaraz US Open
Carlos Alcaraz with US Open trophy (Image via Roland Garros)

Carlos Alcaraz will have to write a letter through the Spanish Tennis Federation expressing his desire to play in the February leg of the Davis Cup Finals. Although he won’t play then, the ITF would approve his request in June, after the conclusion of the French Open. This way, Alcaraz will have fulfilled the criteria and will be able to take part in the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Notably, the tennis matches in the 2024 Paris Olympics will be held at the Roland Garros Arena and this way, Alcaraz will have a chance to make his debut at the biggest sporting event and will also fulfill his dream of playing alongside Rafael Nadal before the 22-time Grand Slams hangs up his racket.

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