It would be a dream: Carlos Alcaraz on the prospect of playing with Rafael Nadal at Paris Olympics 2024

 

Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz said it would be a dream come true to represent Spain at Paris Olympics 2024 and play alongside his idol Rafael Nadal. Alcaraz recently bested Novak Djokovic in a five-set thrilling contest to win his maiden Wimbledon crown.

With this triumph, Alcaraz retained the numero uno position in the ATP rankings and also qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals. He became the first player outside the Big 4 – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray to win the Wimbledon title since 2002.

As Paris will host the event, the tournament will be played on red clay and both Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, if they decide to play together, will be the favorites to win on their preferred surface but they have never played doubles together.

Nadal is a 14-time French Open champion, the most for any tennis player at a particular major and he is well known as king of clay. However, the veteran has revealed that 2024 will be the final year of his professional career on the tour.

“It would be a dream. Not only to win a medal at singles or doubles, but just to live the experience of playing a doubles with your idol, would be a memory that I would keep with special affection,” Alcaraz told COPE.

Nadal recently congratulated Carlos Alcaraz after the youngster won his first major title on grass.

“Congratulations @carlosalcaraz. You have given us immense joy today and I am sure that our pioneer in Spanish tennis, Manolo Santana, has also been cheering wherever he is. A very strong hug and enjoy the moment, Champion!!!,” Nadal wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Alcaraz had won his maiden Slam title at the US Open 2022 after beating Casper Ruud and the youngster will aim to defend his title in the upcoming New York major.

“The US Open is a special tournament that I’m going to try to win again. At a professional level, I am not afraid of anything or anyone. I am a boy who can continue making history and who can beat any player,” Alcaraz said.