Is Rafael Nadal right to complain about the scheduling at Paris Olympics 2024?

Rafael Nadal has heavily criticized the scheduling of matches at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Spaniard has won 22 Grand Slam titles including 14 French Open titles at Roland Garros, where the tennis events at the Olympics are being held this year.

Nadal is taking part in both singles and doubles events at the Summer Games. He won his first-round match in doubles last Saturday, July 27, partnering Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion.

However, the 38-year-old will have to play his first-round match in singles on Sunday, against Marton Fucsovics of Hungary. The match will start at 2:00 p.m. local time, and Nadal was unhappy about the early start. Speaking to "Carussel Deportivo", he said:

"I don't know if I'll play tomorrow, I have to evaluate it with my team. Sometimes less is more," Nadal said.

Is Nadal right to criticize the scheduling?

One has to be a little careful while supporting the Spaniard's arguments here because as far as tennis is concerned, the Olympic Games cannot be compared with Grand Slams.

In the case of the Grand Slam tournaments, there is a two-week time frame to organize seven rounds of matches. At the Olympics, however, six rounds of matches are to be held within a week.

Hence, the one-week time frame for tennis events at the Olympics is considerably tighter than at Majors or even Masters 1000 events, which are two-week-long affairs now.

Carlos Alcaraz also had to play his first-round doubles match almost immediately after overcoming his Lebanese opponent, Hady Habib, in the first round of the men's singles event.

Was Nadal right in his decision to play both singles and doubles?

While it is an honor to represent one's country at the Olympics, playing in both singles and doubles might not be the greatest idea at the age of 38. Nadal can hardly afford what someone like Alcaraz can at the latter’s age.

One can take the example of Novak Djokovic, who is a year younger than Nadal. Unlike Nadal, the Serb has decided to skip the doubles and focus solely on singles at the Paris Olympics in a bid to win his maiden Olympic gold. This seems to be the logical thing to do considering his age and recent injury troubles.

While Alcaraz's great form, coupled with Nadal's clay court reputation helps Spain's chances to win a doubles medal, one can't help but question if the 14-time French Open winner has taken a bit too much on his plate this time around.