Rafael Nadal is looking forward to forming a dream doubles partnership with his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics this summer.
World No. 3 Alcaraz previously said he would like to play at the Olympics alongside his 37-year-old idol, who expects him to bring down the curtain on his glittering but injury-plagued career this year.
At the Madrid Open, where the duo are competing this week, the 20-year-old admitted to being a little nervous when he opened the discussion, but Nadal reassured him.
“Carlos doesn’t have to ask me anything. If everything is okay, we will play,” said Nadal. “It’s hugely exciting for me too. If I’m not mistaken, I’ve heard it applies to him too.”
“So it would be great to play a tournament or two before the Olympics to prepare ourselves and build a good relationship on the court.”
While two-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz will make his Olympic debut, Nadal is eyeing his third gold medal, having triumphed in singles at the Beijing Games in 2008 and doubles in Rio eight years later.
But Nadal has had a difficult time with injuries in recent years, missing almost all of 2023 because of a hip problem that required surgery.
He returned to competition in Brisbane in January but was again sidelined by a hamstring problem and only returned last week in Barcelona before casting doubt over his participation in next month’s French Open.
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Nadal admits his body does not allow him to give 100 percent in every match as the 14-time French Open champion targets another appearance at Roland Garros in June
The tennis competition at the Paris Games will be played on clay at Roland Garros, where Nadal has won 14 major titles.
“I think if we’re both fit enough, why not? We could have a chance to form a great team and aim for great things,” Nadal said of the partnership.
“It would be good for both of us. It would also be good for the Spanish team, so we’ll see how it goes.”
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Check out Nadal’s five best shots at the Madrid Open throughout his career so far!
What can you expect from Sky Sports Tennis?
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Discover all the ways to watch tennis on Sky Sports, including the US Open, ATP and WTA tours
Ahead of the second Grand Slam of 2024 – the French Open in Roland Garros from May 26th – you can watch all the big tennis stars in action Live on Sky Sports as they compete against each other throughout the clay court season.
- Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome (ATP and WTA Masters 1000) – 7th – 19th May
- Geneva Open (ATP 250) – 20-26 May
- Lyon Open (ATP 250) – 20-26 May
- Strasbourg International (WTA 500 with Emma Raducanu in action) – 20-2. May
- Morocco Open (WTA 250) – 20-26 May
Here’s how to watch tennis matches on Sky Sports
The tennis stars will appear daily on the new Sky Sports Tennis channel
Sky Sports has confirmed a new home for tennis in the UK and Ireland with Sky Sports Tennis on Sky and NOW, bringing tennis content to fans all day, every day.
Sky Sports will broadcast more live tennis than anywhere else and over 4,000 matches from more than 80 tournaments per year on the ATP and WTA tours, as well as full coverage of the US Open, all exclusively live.
Non-Sky subscribers can stream live games with a NOW Sports Day and Month membership via Sky Sports Tennis, Sky Sports ArenaAnd Sky Sports Mix Channels.
For further access, fans can also follow their favorite players and gain deeper insights into both tours via Sky sports newsThe Sky Sports App, on SkySports.com and via Sky Sports social channels.
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Watch the WTA and ATP tours in 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month membership. No contract, can be canceled at any time.