Tennis legend Rafael Nadal and three-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz will join forces for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Royal Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) announced on Wednesday that Nadal and Alcaraz represent Spain at the Olympics and compete in doubles.
The news represents a big boost for the Olympic tennis tournament, considering the popularity of Nadal and Alcaraz.
Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slams and is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, is approaching the end of his career, and the Olympics might be among his final appearances as a professional. On the other hand, Alcaraz is a rising star who is branded as the next big thing in tennis.
Nadal already represented Spain at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. He won the gold medal in singles in 2008 and a gold medal in doubles in 2016 after pairing up with Marc Lopez. Alcaraz is set to make his first appearance at the Olympics.
Aside from competing in doubles together, Nadal and Alcaraz will also play in the singles’ tournament.
“The Olympic Games are every four years, and it’s a special tournament where you’re not only playing for yourself but for a country, representing every Spaniard,” said Alcaraz. “I think this year I’d choose Olympic gold.”
