Boris Becker reacts to official confirmation of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz's blockbuster doubles partnership at Paris Olympics

German tennis legend Boris Becker reacted to the news of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz teaming up for the doubles at the Paris Olympics 2024. Spain's tennis team for the Paris Olympics was announced on June 12.

The tennis team captain David Ferrer announced that Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz will play the men's doubles together at the upcoming Paris Olympics. The 22-time Grand Slam champion will compete in both singles and doubles at the quadrennial event.

Pablo Carreno Busta, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and Marcel Granollers are the other members of Team Spain along with Alcaraz and Nadal.

Boris Becker reacted to the news of Nadal-Alcaraz's partnership and wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

"Good news"

Nadal had previously expressed his desire to play the doubles along with the 21-year-old at the Olympics. While speaking to Iguales during the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open, the Spaniard claimed that teaming up with Alcaraz was an exciting prospect. He was quoted as saying:

"It’s also hugely exciting for me. If I am not mistaken, I have heard it is from him too. So it would be amazing to play the odd tournament before the Olympics to prepare ourselves to get some rapport on the court. I think if we are both fit enough, then why not. We could have the chance to form a great team and aspire to great things. It would be good for both of us. I think it would also be good for the Spanish team."

Rafael Nadal has an impressive record at the Olympics. The southpaw has won two Olympic golds for his country. Nadal won the gold medal in the singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in the doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics. On the other hand, his partner Alcaraz will be competing in the first Olympics of his career.

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"I don't think we have time to prepare" - Carlos Alcaraz on pairing with Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz at The Netflix Slam

The newly crowned French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz recently spoke about playing doubles with his idol, Rafael Nadal.

The 21-year-old opened up about playing with Nadal at the Olympics in a recent conversation with Radio Marca. Alcaraz expressed that he doesn't have enough time to practice for the doubles with Nadal due to his tight schedule. The World No. 2 said:

"Well, in principle my calendar, now, is Queens, Wimbledon, and the Olympic Games. I don't think we have time to prepare for the doubles with Nadal."

However, Alcaraz claimed that he is optimistic that he and Nadal will adapt to the situation.

"Rafa knows how to pick up the pace in the doubles. He knows what it is to play and win the gold in both singles and doubles, we will try to adapt in the best way possible ahead of the games," he added.

Alcaraz will be gearing up for the upcoming grass court season whereas Nadal has prioritized the Olympics which will be played on the clay surface.