"Disqualify them for being too good" - Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz's triumphant debut at Paris Olympics draws hilarious reaction from Mardy Fish

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz’s impressive display in men’s doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics drew a hilarious reaction from Mardy Fish. The former American tennis player called their partnership “not fair.”

Nadal and Alcaraz are off to a winning start at Roland-Garros. The Spanish pair beat Argentines Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez 7-6 (4), 6-4, in the opening round on Saturday, July 27. It is worth noting that, hours earlier, Carlos Alcaraz also hit the ground running in singles with a 6-3, 6-1 win against Lebanon’s Hady Habib.

In what has been one of the most talked-about collaborations this Olympics, the pair were welcomed by a packed Philippe-Chatrier crowd. The duo’s partnership at Stade Roland-Garros is especially significant considering their success at the French Open.

Carlos Alcaraz is the reigning champion, having won his first title at the event just over a month ago. Rafael Nadal’s legacy at the event spans almost two decades. He is the best player to have graced the Parisian clay and is the tournament’s most successful champion, with 14 French Open titles to his name.

With a total of 26 Grand Slams between them (Rafael Nadal’s 22 and Carlos Alcaraz’s four), they are one of the best teams to have competed at the Olympics. Taking note of their legendary achievements, Mardy Fish joked:

"I declare this team as not fair," Fish jokingly wrote on X.

Fish, a silver medalist in men’s singles at Athens 2004, hilariously asked for them to be disqualified with immediate effect for being “too good.”

"Disqualify them for being too good immediately," he added.

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Carlos Alcaraz on partnering Rafael Nadal at Paris Olympics 2024: "It was difficult to deal with the nerves"

The pair pictured at the 2024 Paris Olympics; Source: Getty

While Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz emerged victorious in straight sets, the latter took a while to find his footing in the doubles setting. About his experience partnering his idol at Roland-Garros, the 21-year-old told the press:

"It wasn't Rafa himself that was imposing on me, but the situation. In the end, seeing the Philippe-Chatrier stadium full, playing with Rafa, my first Olympics... It was a moment, I'll say, that was difficult to deal with the nerves," he said (translated from Spanish).

Alcaraz followed the two-time Olympic gold medalist’s (singles at Beijing 2008 and men’s doubles at Rio 2016) lead and had a considerable turnaround as the match progressed.

"I was quite nervous at the beginning but then, as the match progressed, I managed them (nerves) in a more appropriate way. And in the end we ended up playing great tennis and thoroughly enjoying the moment," he added.

In the second round, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz await the winner between the Dutch pair, Wesley Koolhof and Tallon Griekspoor, and the Hungarian duo, Marton Fucsovics and Fabian Marozsan.