"A setback" - Concerning signs for Rafael Nadal at Paris Olympics 2024 as coach Carlos Moya confirms new injury diagnosis

Rafael Nadal's participation at the 2024 Paris Olympics has come under a cloud of doubt, with the Spaniard experiencing slight discomfort in his legs. Commenting on the issue, his coach Carlos Moya admitted that it's a setback his team didn't expect and that they are monitoring the situation.

Nadal was last in action at the Nordea Open, where he reached his first final in more than two years. He traveled to Paris after that, where he's set to be in action in both singles and doubles. In doubles, the Spaniard is partnering with Carlos Alcaraz, in the 21-year-old's first appearance at the Olympics.

The duo have been practicing all week at Roland Garros and interacting with other athletes on site at the event. On Thursday, though, Nadal's scheduled practice session with Alexander Zverev was canceled by the Mallorcan.

Speaking to Spanish journalist Rafael Plaza about the decision, Moya confirmed that it was due to an injury the 37-year-old picked up during doubles training the previous day.

At the same time, Moya didn't sound alarmed yet, stating that they will wait 48 hours for the left-hander time to rest and give his body time to recover.

"It was a setback, and we decided that today Rafa would rest and not train to recover. We are going to give ourselves 48 hours. We have to wait,” Moya said.

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Rafael Nadal on collision course with Novak Djokovic at Paris Olympics

Rafael Nadal

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Rafael Nadal is set to open his campaign against Marton Fucsovics. A win will see him likely taking on No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic (first round against Matthew Ebden), which will mark their 60th meeting on the ATP Tour.

The head-to-head between them is 30-29 in favor of the Serb. However, their most recent battle went Nadal's way, with the Spaniard winning at the 2022 French Open quarter-final in a four-set epic.

Carlos Alcaraz, meanwhile, is on the other half of the draw. He's set to start his Paris campaign against Lebanon's Hady Habib. Alcaraz, the defending French Open and Wimbledon champion, is hunting for his maiden Olympic gold medal in his maiden campaign at the Games.

Nadal is a former Olympic gold medalist, having won the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Djokovic, meanwhile, has never won the gold, with his best result being a bronze medal in 2008.