Carlos Alcaraz is the next big thing from Spain, arriving onto the stage during the closing chapter of Rafael Nadal's career. The two great Spaniard battled on the court a couple of time and had a chance to defend the national jersey together at last year's Olympic Games in Paris.
They also led Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga last December. Rafa ended his career in front of the home fans, with Spain falling in the quarter-final against the Netherlands.
While seeing that as a blow, it was much harder for Alcaraz to accept their Olympic Games loss in the doubles draw. The Spanish legends ousted two teams before falling in the quarter-final, ending their medal dreams.
The Olympic dream is OVER for Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz 😢🇪🇸
The Spanish duo are out after losing their quarter-final in straight sets ❌#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/u6kaaP1cCc
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) July 31, 2024
Carlos admitted he felt depressed after the match, knowing it was Rafa's last chance to win another Olympic medal and feeling responsible. Nadal and Alcaraz were off to a great start on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Both Roland Garros champions, the Spaniards joined forces and ousted the 6th seeds Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 7-6, 6-4 in an hour and 46 minutes for a place in the second round.
Carlos and Rafa got broken in the early stages of both sets. However, they bounced back and took the pivotal points to emerge at the top. Alcaraz faced issues in the early stages of the duel.
Rafael Nadal & Carlos Alcaraz, 2024 Paris Olympics© Stream screenshot
They served well after early setbacks and introduced a tie break. The Spaniards clinched it 7-3 with a return winner to gain a boost. The Argentines forged a 3-0 advantage in the second set.
Carlos and Rafa broke back in the fifth game and wasted three more chances on the return at 3-3. They served well and made another push on the return at 4-4.
Alcaraz fired a backhand crosscourt return winner and sent Spain 5-4 in front. Nadal served for the win in game ten, and his young compatriot landed a volley winner on a match point to seal the deal for their country.
In the second round, Rafa and Carlos bested Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof, prevailed 6-4, 6-7, 10-2 to enter the last eight and remain on the medal course. However, they could not pass the quarter-final stage.
Carlos Alcaraz. 2024 Paris Olympics© Stream screenshot
Austin Krajicek and Rejeev Ram earned a 6-2, 6-4 victory, controlling the pace and entering the medal territory. Rafa and Carlos left the court with their heads high, with the younger Spaniard feeling devastated, not for himself but the legend by his side.
“It was very hard and sad at the same time. I gave my best in singles, but I also played doubles with Rafa. I feel responsible for not being able to go further and chase the medal. It was a very difficult moment.
Losing the doubles match at the Paris Olympics with Rafa was harder to accept than our Davis Cup defeat in Malaga. I was very depressed after the match in Paris," Carlos Alcaraz said.
