Alcaraz Shares Key Lessons Learned From Partnering With Nadal At Olympics

Carlos Alcaraz had a memorable debut at the Olympics, where he not only reached the singles final but also fulfilled a childhood dream by playing alongside his idol, Rafael Nadal. Growing up in Spain, Alcaraz watched as Nadal made history on the tennis courts, including his gold medal win at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Alcaraz was just five years old when Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic in the semifinals before securing the gold against Fernando Gonzalez.

The young Spaniard always aspired to replicate Nadal’s Olympic success, and he came close this year, reaching the final in singles. Alcaraz was considered the favorite in the final against Djokovic, but despite his best efforts, he couldn’t secure the victory. The experience highlighted the magnitude of Djokovic’s enduring success—Alcaraz was just a child when the Serbian nearly reached the Olympic final in 2008, and 16 years later, they met in the final of the same event.

In addition to his singles run, Alcaraz had the chance to play doubles with Nadal, an experience he cherished. Although the pair didn’t win a medal, being eliminated just short of the medal round, Alcaraz valued every moment on the court with Nadal. He described the experience as invaluable, learning not only from Nadal’s gameplay but also from their off-court conversations.

“It was a great experience, talking with Rafa off the court, getting to know each other much better. Playing doubles together was something I will never forget,” Alcaraz shared. “I learned a lot from him, both on and off the court. I think we played great tennis, especially considering that neither of us plays doubles regularly.”

Despite their disappointment in not advancing further, the 21-year-old Alcaraz was grateful for the opportunity to play with his hero, particularly in the unique setting of the Olympics, representing Spain. “It’s a bit disappointing because we believed we could have done better, but overall, playing alongside Rafa was a dream come true.”

Alcaraz also spoke about Nadal’s positive influence during their matches, especially in difficult moments. “Sometimes when we were down, he would encourage me, saying, ‘Now is the time when they’ll feel the pressure. We need to stay strong and put the ball in play to trouble them.’ He has a way of seeing things so clearly, even in situations that are tough to read.”

As Alcaraz looks ahead, his next tournament will be the 2024 Cincinnati Open, where he was a finalist last year. Notably, defending champion Novak Djokovic will not be competing this year, offering Alcaraz a chance to make a strong comeback after his Olympic journey.