The Spanish tennis legend is already looking to the next Olympic Games: the invitation to the designated heir surprisingly falls on deaf ears
Already a land of conquest – a true empire, the one built by the left-handed man from Manacor on the red clay of Paris – by Rafael Nadal, in 2024 the Philippe-Chatrier crowned Carlos Alcaraz- for many the designated heir of the Majorcan, and not only for the common nationality – new King of Roland Garros.
The Spanish phenomenon, winning his third Major out of as many finals played, seems set on a career in which, if perhaps he will not be able to emulate his master in terms of number of titles won in Paris, he certainly should be brilliant. A more than worthy heir to a champion who, in the just concluded edition of Roland Garros, he perhaps played his last match on the central court.
The defeat suffered against Sascha Zverev, curiously the last opponent Carlitos beat before the final apotheosis, could in fact have represented Rafa’s last dance on the red clay of the French capital. Be careful though, because the calendar has reserved Rafa one last, glorious chance. That of leaving their mark once again, on the same field, on the occasion of a prestigious and unmissable event: that of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In view of the announced double that the two Spanish champions should play together to bring their Spain a gold which would be celebrated like a football World Cup, the 22-time Slam champion has seen fit to take matters into his own hands. Inviting his future partner to accompany him to a preparation tournament in Germany, immediately after Wimbledon. The response of the new world number two left the fans stunned.
Nadal wants to play, Alcaraz doesn’t: what Carlitos said
As reported by the French portal ‘Le10sport.com‘, the Majorcan champion doesn’t want to leave anything to chance in view of the five-round event. Taking advantage of the stop that the ATP circuit will make in Hamburg, on red clay, from 15 to 21 July (the Games will begin on 26 July, and the Olympic tennis tournament will begin the following day), Nadal invited Alcaraz to join him in the doubles tournament. A way to refine the understanding in view of the common mission to be completed at the Olympics.
“I will participate directly in the Games, I won’t do a preparatory tournament on clay to prepare for the Olympics“, the latest Slam winner declared to l’Equipe. “When I get back to this stage at the end of July, I’ll probably have some interesting flashbacks.”
Alcaraz then highlighted how it will be a very special tournament: “My first Olympics, immediately after winning my first Roland. Fighting for a gold medal for my country, playing doubles with my idol, Rafael Nadal,” added the Spaniard, attempting to throw water on the fire of possible controversy over the ‘rejection’.
